Caries, Cranberry and Wine

Tooth decay or caries is the result of bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans interacting with sugar. They produce polymers, using sucrose, stick onto the tooth surface and form a bio-film known as dental plaque. When bacteria have stuck firmly and sugar comes around, they exude acids that cause holes and lead to the disintegration of the tooth.

A team of researchers at the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester discovered that compounds contained in cranberry and red dry wine can decrease significantly the bacteria’s ability to form dental plaque and annihilate the basic reason of developing caries.

Scientists are going on with the research intending to better understand the influence of these polyphenol compounds.