Raisins Can Prevent Gum Disease

By Jim Jawnson


If you can't bear to part with dessert, there's good news for your teeth despite your sweet tooth. Raisins have been discovered to contain compounds that prevent tooth decay and inflamed gums. This information came from a study conducted by scientists at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Why are raisins so beneficial? It turns out raisins contain a number of constituents that fight plaque-causing bacteria. Oleanolic acid, for one, is very good at destroying bacteria, and oleanolic aldehyde and 5-(hydroxyl methyl)-2-furfural diminish the ability of the bacteria to propagate. They also work against a type of bacteria called Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. What does this mean for you, in laymen's terms? Less plaque, cleaner teeth and better-smelling breath!

Oleanolic acid also helps to prevent bacteria from sticking to the enamel on your teeth, so they cannot produce plaque. Raisins are also sweet because of the fructose and glucose they contain, which are natural sugars. You aren't sacrificing tooth health for sweetness though, because these types of sugars do not create conditions for tooth decay, unlike sucrose.

Cranberries have also been found to prevent bacteria (specifically Streptococcus mutans) from sticking to teeth, and causing gum disease and tooth decay. There are now dental floss products and toothpastes in the US that contain cranberry extract. And the British Dental Health Foundation is recommending cranberry extracts and juice to prevent tooth decay and associated problems. But because of cranberry juice's acidity, they recommend only taking it at mealtimes. Acidic food and drinks temporarily soften the enamel on teeth.

By eating raisins, you avoid getting plaque and the gum disease it can cause. Gum disease is a serious condition that causes red and swollen gums, which can bleed easily. Teeth can become extremely sensitive, spaces and pus can develop between teeth, bad breath, mouth pain, and changes to the teeth bite like overbite correction are just some of the most common effects of gum disease. Plaque is the most major factor in getting gum disease, but other lifestyle factors can increase the rate of gum disease. Some of those include smoking, having a genetic predisposition, puberty, stress, pregnancy, a poor diet, anti-depressants, oral contraceptives, teeth-grinding, diabetes and other diseases.




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