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Raisins And Cranberries For Gum Disease And Halitosis Prevention
By Rai Micht | July 11, 2009
The fight against gum disease and halitosis is not as easy as it seems, as there are various factors that trigger the said conditions. The main culprit for the manifestation of these dental conditions is the sugar in foods and drinks. Dental bacteria feeds on the sugar and food debris left in the mouth, causing plaque and tartar. This is why it’s advised to avoid eating foods rich in sugar.
Fortunately, for people who have sweet cravings, there’s good news. Even though raisins are sweet and sticky, researchers at the University of Illinois in Chicago have discovered them to contain compounds which prevent gum disease and halitosis.
There are a list of components in raisins that focus on the problem of plaque-causing bacteria inside the mouth. A few, such as oleanolic acid can be effective in eliminating these bacteria. Oleanolic acid, oleanolic aldehyde, and 5-(hydroxy methyl)-2-furfural can as well lower the bacteria’s ability to multiply. Particularly, they fend off Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Oleanolic acid also help in preventing the bacteria Streptococcus mutans from adhering to the surface of the tooth. Bacteria needs to stick to the teeth to form plaque, where they begin to erode the tooth enamel. Sucrose, unlike the fructose and glucose in which raisins contain, are what constitutes the environment for gum disease and halitosis.
Cranberries have also been found to prevent bacteria (specifically Streptococcus mutans) from sticking to teeth, and causing gum disease and halitosis. There are now dental floss products and toothpastes in the US that contain cranberry extract. And the British Dental Health Foundation is recommending cranberry extracts and juice to prevent gum disease and halitosis, and associated problems. But because of cranberry juice’s acidity, they recommend only taking it at mealtimes. Acidic food and drinks temporarily soften the enamel on teeth.
Symptoms of gum disease include red and swollen gums that bleed easily, tooth sensitivity, spaces developing between teeth, pus between teeth, chronic halitosis, pain in the mouth, and changes to the bite of teeth. Plaque is the main cause of gum disease and halitosis, though other factors can speed up the process of gum degradation. These include smoking, a genetic predisposition, pregnancy, puberty, stress, poor diet, medications like anti-depressants, and oral contraceptives, grinding teeth at night, diabetes, and some other systemic diseases.
Observing effective dental hygiene is simple form of at home gum disease and halitosis prevention and remedy. With daily brushing, flossing and application of mouthwash, eliminating bacteria causing the gum disease and halitosis can be easier, securing dental health from further dangers.
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