A new mouthwash developed by a microbiologist at the UCLA School of Dentistry has shown to be highly successful in targeting Streptococcus mutans bacteria, the principal cause of tooth decay and cavities. In a recent clinical study, subjects who rinsed just one time with the experimental mouthwash experienced a nearly complete elimination of the S mutans bacteria over the entire 4 day testing period.
Most common broad-spectrum antibiotics, like conventional mouthwash, indiscriminately kill both benign and harmful pathogenic organisms and only do so for a 12-hour period. This new mouthwash acts as a sort of “smart bomb”, eliminating only harmful bacteria and remaining effective for an extended period.
More extensive clinical trials are in the works and if the FDA ultimately approves the new mouthwash for general use, it will be the first such antidental caries drug since fluoride was licensed nearly 60 years ago.
We might be able to say good bye to tooth decay in the near future…
Article from Dentistry Today, January 2012
