Many diverse cultures once believed that dental troubles, such as cavities and gum disease, were caused by a worm burrowing into your tooth. If a tooth hurt, it was attributed to the movement of the worm inside of it. That belief continued even into the 20th century, but since no one had ever found such a worm, they were unable to cure their dental woes. Luckily, we now understand a great deal about the afflictions that trouble our mouths, and can therefore investigate more successful methods of treating and defeating dental illnesses. In some cases, however, we find that the answers to some dental troubles may have been under our noses all along. Astoria dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, discusses the results of one study that suggests a common food preservative, called nisin, may have the power to slow or even stop tumor growth that can lead to oral cancer.
The Dental and Health Benefits of Nisin
Nisin possesses antibacterial properties that make it effective against harmful microorganisms by altering their cells’ functions. However, experts have recently begun to examine if this same ability can be harnessed and used against other harmful cell types, specifically those of cancerous tumors.
The research suggests that nisin may help stop the growth and proliferation of cancerous cells by activating a protein known as CHAC1, which is known to influence cell death. The nisin study, conducted by the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, produced particularly good news because the preservative was deemed safe for human consumption decades ago by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The authors of the study believe that battling cancer through antibacterial agents holds great promise and hope to continue their research to further refine their data.
Keep Your Smile Healthy in Astoria
While researchers continue to search for innovative ways of improving your dental health, you can do your part by diligently practicing good oral hygiene practices. To learn more about protecting your oral health, or to schedule a dental consultation, contact Dr. Leibowitz by calling our Queens dental office at (718) 728-8320. We proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
