Monday, March 21, 2005
Yoghurt saves teeth
Jax
Sugarless yoghurt could help beat bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease, say scientists.
Japanese researchers found eating the yoghurt reduced levels of hydrogen sulphide - a major cause of bad breath - in 80% of volunteers.
The key are active bacteria in yogurt, specifically Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Details were presented at a meeting of the International Association for Dental Research.
A total of 24 volunteers who took part in the study were given strict instructions on oral hygiene, diet and medication intake.
They spent two weeks avoiding yoghurts and similar foods, like cheese.
Researchers then took saliva and tongue coating samples to measure bacteria levels and odour-causing compounds, including hydrogen sulphide.
The volunteers then ate 90 grams of yoghurt a day for six weeks.
At the end of the study, researchers took samples again. They found hydrogen sulphide levels decreased in 80% of participants.
Levels of plaque and the gum disease gingivitis were also significantly lower among yoghurt eaters. (Link)
