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.

  • EthicalDogMeat@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Incredible. Given how expensive dental treatment is in a lot of places, this could be revolutionary for people who can’t afford regular checkups and/or treatment plans. It’s not going to be a replacement but it can certainly mitigate a lot of damage.

    • Dudewitbow@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      I mean if the research a few months ago in japan that detailed the ability to introduce a drug to allow teeth growth beyond the second pair has good results, things are getting places.

      • Kanzar@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        From my understanding , it wasn’t past the second pair, it was to reactivate deactivated teeth.

        As in, they artificially induced a way to stop a tooth forming (which can occur naturally in humans), and then reactivated it. Useful for folks who suffer from agenesis in the first place.