Researchers Discover Promising Anti-Caries Molecule
Researchers Discover Promising Anti Caries Molecule A team of American and Chilean researchers has discovered a molecule that can kill Streptococcus mutans—the main culprit in the formation of dental caries—in 60 seconds. This finding may provide a promising new avenue
Researchers Discover Promising Anti-Caries Molecule
A team of American and Chilean researchers has discovered a molecule that can kill Streptococcus mutans—the main culprit in the formation of dental caries—in 60 seconds. This finding may provide a promising new avenue for preventing tooth decay. José Córdoba, PhD, from Yale University, and Erich Astudillo, MBA, of the Universidad de Santiago, Chile, began in vitro research on the molecule in 2005, and are now ready to begin human trials.
Named Keep 32—a reference to the number of teeth in the full, permanent dentition—the molecule not only kills S. mutans quickly, but its effects also reportedly last for hours. If Keep 32 passes the next level of efficacy and safety trials, Córdoba and Astudillo hope to see it added to consumer and professional-care products, such as mouthrinse, toothpaste, and even candies and chewing gum. Pending results of the testing, the pair hopes to have a product to market within 18 months.
