A specific plant may have what it takes to help dental health.
Licorice roots contain a compound called trans-chalcone, which contains a natural chemical to stop the bacteria that harm teeth. This would aid in the prevention of tooth decay and thwart the buildup of plaque.
This plant is effective because it blocks the action of a key enzyme—Sortase A—that enables bacteria to thrive in oral cavities.
This bacteria—Streptoccocus mutans—metabolizes sugar from food and beverages, producing a mild acid that results in plaque formation. This will lead to tooth decay if a person who has this kind of plaque doesn’t maintain good oral health.
Researchers determined that blocking the activity of the enzyme stops bacteria from forming a protective biological layer.
Other oral care products that possess similar natural compounds could improve dental health.
The team worked out the 3-D structure of the enzyme (Sortase A), allowing the bacteria to produce biofilms. This enabled the researchers to pinpoint the methods in which trans-chalcone stops the enzymes from functioning.
This study is the first to demonstrate how trans-chalcone protects against bacteria-forming biofilms. It appeared in the journal Chemical Communications and was conducted by scientists at the University of Edinburgh.
Based on the results of this study, similar natural products will be analyzed to see what impact they have on food and healthcare.
