90% Reduction: Scientists Discover Natural Molecule That Eradicates Plaques and Cavities
3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) decreased the Streptococcus mutans biofilm, a leading contributor to plaque and cavities, by 90%.
A significant portion of the global population experiences persistent issues with dental plaque and cavities or will face them at some time. While toothpaste, mouthwash, and routine dental visits help in prevention, there’s always room for improvement.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in collaboration with teams from Sichuan University and the National University of Singapore, have identified that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) – a naturally occurring molecule also referred to as bisindole – can reduce biofilms responsible for plaque and cavities by a remarkable 90%.
The molecule is also found to have anti-carcinogenic properties.
Their findings were recently published in the journal Antibiotics.
Alcohol-based mouth sanitizer will kill like 99.9% of bacteria in your mouth, the issue is that you won't keep it in your mouth 24 hours a day.
Is this new chemical supposed to be added to food, or maybe to sugar?
The point isn't that it kills bacteria, it's that it breaks down the biofilm.
The biofilm is basically habitat - it's a structure they can cling to and establish a foothold.
Mouths are never going to be a sterile environment even a minute after nuking with alcohol; populations will re-establish in no time.
The point here is to deny them a place to stay.
That makes sense
You really don't want to kill all the bacteria in your mouth.
Those mouth washes don't get rid of plaque caused by the bacteria, though. Just the bacteria.
Sounds like this molecule is already found in broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.