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Red wine could be good for your teeth and help ward off tooth decay, according to new research.
Published Dec 2009, Telegraph Media Group-UK
Italian scientists found it contains chemicals that stop harmful bacteria from sticking to teeth. The findings, due to be published in the journal Food Chemistry, suggest a daily glass of red could help to keep teeth healthy and reduce the need for fillings.
In contrast, a recent study showed white wine could damage dental health because its high acid content erodes the enamel that coats the surface of the tooth. Red wine, when drunk in moderation, is already thought to have a protective effect against heart disease and some forms of cancer. But in recent years, scientists have also been investigating whether it could help to prevent dental decay. Last year, a team of US researchers discovered that chemicals found in large quantities in the discarded seed and skins of grapes pressed to make wine blocked the ability of corrosive bacteria, called streptococcus mutans, live in the mouth and feed on sugar in the diet. Once it sticks to the enamel, the organism triggers a process called demineralization, where acid starts to punch holes in the teeth.
In the latest study, researchers at Pavia University in Italy exposed the bacteria to a small amount of red wine that had all its alcohol content removed. This was so they could clarify if it was the alcohol, or something else in wine, that had a beneficial effect. The results showed harmful organisms were unable to cling to teeth or saliva once exposed to red wine.
Scientists said the active ingredient was a group of compounds called proanthocyanidins, chemicals rich in antioxidants that are found mainly in grape skins. However, researchers are investigating whether the compounds can be extracted and used as a form of treatment on their own, as some wines contain sugars and acids that can also be corrosive to teeth.