March 15/London/Daily Mail -- Cranberry juice may protect against cavities by preventing bacteria from clinging to teeth.

Drinking the juice is already known to help prevent and treat bladder problems, by stopping bacteria sticking to the bladder wall. Now these anti-bacterial properties are being tested in dental care.

Our mouths are full of bacteria, which feed off the sugars in food. They then excrete acids that cause dental decay.

Laboratory studies have shown that cranberry juice acts like Teflon, preventing the bacteria sticking to teeth. The American researchers also found compounds in the juice stopped bacteria building up and forming plaque, which is a cause of gum disease.

They are now planning to isolate the compounds that provide the protection. It is hoped they could then be added to toothpaste or mouthwash directly.  

From the March 29, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition