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Home > Archive > Politics and Medicine > July 2005 > BBC: Bacteria to freshen up bad breath
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BBC: Bacteria to freshen up bad breath
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| Ilena Rose 2005-07-28, 8:58 am |
| http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4719123.stm
Bacteria to freshen up bad breath
Researchers have isolated bacteria which can grow on and destroy some
of the compounds that cause bad breath.
The King's college London research, in Environmental Microbiology,
could help develop a natural way to beat halitosis and other odours
such as smelly feet.
The compounds behind bad breath are produced when sulphur-containing
amino acids break down in the mouth.
Odour-eating methylotrophic bacteria were isolated from the tongue,
tooth plaques and gum edges of volunteers.
Modified mouthwashes
Until now it was not recognised that these bugs were a normal part of
the microbial environment inside the mouth.
The King's team found no difference between strains of bacteria found
in the mouths of healthy volunteers and those suffering from
periodontitis - a form of gum disease often associated with smelly
breath.
However, the researchers suspect people who suffer from bad breath may
have lower levels of the bacteria.
The King's team has previously shown that methylotrophic bacteria are
found on the feet - where sulphur derivatives can also cause odours.
Lead researcher Dr Ann Wood told BBC News it might be possible to
combat bad breath by modifying mouthwashes and toothpastes to enhance
the activity of methylotrophic bacteria.
Toxic
She said levels of mouth bacteria varied depending on a number of
factors, including gum and liver disease, smoking and diet.
"If concentrations of the smelly compounds are high (as in bad breath)
the number of methylotrophs would also be expected to rise, but as
these compounds are toxic this would potentially limit the bacterial
activity.
"Poor oral hygiene will lead to accumulation of material between
teeth, coating the tongue and plaque deposition, all of which are
likely to raise the output of the relevant compounds."
Dr Phil Stemmer, of the Fresh Breath Centre in London, said the theory
sounded promising.
However, he said it was not just a case of increasing levels of
potentially beneficial bacteria - they would have to replace other
types of bacteria in the mouth that caused bad breath by breaking down
amino acids.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/...lth/4719123.stm
Published: 2005/07/27 23:19:28 GMT
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| Mark & Steven Bornfeld 2005-07-28, 8:58 am |
| Ilena Rose wrote:
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4719123.stm
>
>
> Bacteria to freshen up bad breath
>
> Researchers have isolated bacteria which can grow on and destroy some
> of the compounds that cause bad breath.
>
> The King's college London research, in Environmental Microbiology,
> could help develop a natural way to beat halitosis and other odours
> such as smelly feet.
>
> The compounds behind bad breath are produced when sulphur-containing
> amino acids break down in the mouth.
>
> Odour-eating methylotrophic bacteria were isolated from the tongue,
> tooth plaques and gum edges of volunteers.
>
> Modified mouthwashes
>
> Until now it was not recognised that these bugs were a normal part of
> the microbial environment inside the mouth.
>
> The King's team found no difference between strains of bacteria found
> in the mouths of healthy volunteers and those suffering from
> periodontitis - a form of gum disease often associated with smelly
> breath.
I am certain they must be referring specifically to these
"methylotrophic" bacteria and not the flora in general--certainly not
within the periodontal pocket, where differences in bacterial flora
between healthy and diseased periodontium is well-documented.
Steve
>
> However, the researchers suspect people who suffer from bad breath may
> have lower levels of the bacteria.
>
> The King's team has previously shown that methylotrophic bacteria are
> found on the feet - where sulphur derivatives can also cause odours.
>
> Lead researcher Dr Ann Wood told BBC News it might be possible to
> combat bad breath by modifying mouthwashes and toothpastes to enhance
> the activity of methylotrophic bacteria.
>
> Toxic
>
> She said levels of mouth bacteria varied depending on a number of
> factors, including gum and liver disease, smoking and diet.
>
> "If concentrations of the smelly compounds are high (as in bad breath)
> the number of methylotrophs would also be expected to rise, but as
> these compounds are toxic this would potentially limit the bacterial
> activity.
>
> "Poor oral hygiene will lead to accumulation of material between
> teeth, coating the tongue and plaque deposition, all of which are
> likely to raise the output of the relevant compounds."
>
> Dr Phil Stemmer, of the Fresh Breath Centre in London, said the theory
> sounded promising.
>
> However, he said it was not just a case of increasing levels of
> potentially beneficial bacteria - they would have to replace other
> types of bacteria in the mouth that caused bad breath by breaking down
> amino acids.
>
>
> Story from BBC NEWS:
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/...lth/4719123.stm
>
> Published: 2005/07/27 23:19:28 GMT
>
>
--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS
http://www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY
718-258-5001
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