Many items come to mind when imagining the tools of oral health: toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash…the list goes on. But seldom would a person consider their diet, the eating of an orange or wasabi as part of their dental routines, as part of an effort to defend against tooth decay. However, there are myriad and plentiful natural solutions to the issue of tooth decay, ones that appear right before us in the produce food humans consume every day.
Much study has been done outside of the dentistry and oral health field regarding the antimicrobial abilities of nature’s flora and fauna. To name an example, a team of scientists from NTU (Nanyang Technological University) and Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health developed a biodegradable and anti-microbial food packaging material. Zein, a corn protein, composes the bulk of the structure which is imbedded with a cocktail of naturally anti-microbial compounds, including thyme and citric acid. The material extends the longevity of produce, increasing the shelf life of strawberries from four to seven days. This product was developed out of a twinned interest in reducing food waste and increasing food life.
The naturally anti-microbial properties of citrus extend to oral health, affecting and modifying product development therein. Professor Shigeki Kamitani of Oska Metropolitan University, working within the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology, led a study testing the effectiveness of fruit bio-mass compounds in combatting oral decay. Pru-C12 (Prunin laurate) and analogs were tested against Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontal pathogenic bacterium. All these chemicals are harness-able from the fruit biomass of citrus and coconuts, and Pru-C12 is the most effective. With the compound being tasteless and hypoallergenic, it serves as a safe and cheap alternative to traditional oral hygienic chemicals.
Within that vein, Hideki Masuda, director of the material development labs at Ogawa and Co, Ltd., reports on the antimicrobial effects of wasabi. Isothiocyanates, a compound found in wasabi, showcased the ability to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans, a common dental disease-causing bacterium when tested in test tubes. It works by interfering with the sucrose-dependent adherence of the cells.
You may be wondering: how are these effects applicable to daily life when I have toothpaste, floss and mouthwash? The fact is that regular oral hygiene products are too harsh and irritating for those with sensitive oral environments. This means most products are unusable for the young and the elderly, who as a consequence are both at higher risk for developing periodontal disease. These natural, soothing alternatives could serve to bridge these gaps of oral vulnerability, improving the oral health of human lives overall.
Works Cited
American Chemical Society. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 December 2000. “Wasabi! Sushi Condiment May Prevent Cavities.”
Nanyang Technological University. “Smart and sustainable food pa ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 December 2021. “Smart and sustainable food packaging keeps harmful microbes at bay.”
Osaka Metropolitan University. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 August 2024. “Protect your teeth with fruit: antimicrobial effects found in biomass compounds.”