Blueberry Extract New Natural Treatment For Gum Disease

New findings published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry reveal that wild blueberry extract may help in preventing dental plaque formation that can cause gum disease, a common condition among adults that occurs when bacteria forms biofilms or plaques on the teeth, resulting in inflammation of the gums.

During the study, researchers tested extracts from the wild lowbush blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium Ait., against F. nucleatum. The polyphenol-rich extracts successfully inhibited the growth of F. nucleatum, including its ability to form biofilms. Furthermore, it blocked a molecular pathway involving inflammation.

While typical treatments for red and swollen gums are a sign of inflamed gums associated with the condition, treatments typically involve dentists scrapping off the tartar on them and sometimes additionally, antibiotics.

Yet researchers have recently been looking into more natural antibacterial compounds to treat the health problem--including blueberry polyphenols. They work against foodborne pathogens, which also help fight Fusobacterium nucleatum, one of the main species of bacteria associated with periodontitis.

Now, researchers say they're developing an oral device that could slowly release the extract after deep cleaning to help treat bacteria associated with periodontitis.

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