Scientists Discover Natural Molecule That Eradicates Plaques and Cavities
Scientists Discover Natural Molecule That Eradicates Plaques and Cavities
3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) decreased the Streptococcus mutans biofilm, a leading contributor to plaque and cavities, by 90%. A significant portion of the global population experiences persistent issues with dental plaque and cavities or will face them at some time. While toothpaste, mouthwash, and
Scientists have discovered that the molecule DIM reduces biofilms causing dental plaque by 90%. Its addition to toothpaste and mouthwash could revolutionize dental hygiene. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) decreased the Streptococcus mutans biofilm, a leading contributor to plaque and cavities, by 90%.
A significant portion of the global population experiences persistent issues with dental plaque and cavities or will face them at some time. While toothpaste, mouthwash, and routine dental visits help in prevention, there’s always room for improvement.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in collaboration with teams from Sichuan University and the National University of Singapore, have identified that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) – a naturally occurring molecule also referred to as bisindole – can reduce biofilms responsible for plaque and cavities by a remarkable 90%.
I've checked the molecule in question, it's that sort of stuff that even amateurs could make in a backyard lab, from indole and dichloromethane (use AlCl₃ as catalyst). So if the effects are real and there aren't too big counter-effects, this will spread like wildfire.
even amateurs could make in a backyard lab, from indole and dichloromethane
I hope they don't. Dichloromethane ain't nothing to mess with. Wikipedia page section on its toxicity
That's the cool part about chemistry, when used in this synthesis the dichloromethane becomes a whole new (presumably safe, but we'll see what further testing turns up) molecule. Sodium is explosive and Chlorine is highly corrosive, but combine them and you get regular old table salt. Just because a reagent is dangerous doesn't mean the products it creates will be.
Edit: I just did a little research and it looks like 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is safe for human consumption. It's already sold as a dietary supplement. It's marketed to help with metabolism of estrogens but we all know how "trustworthy" the dietary supplement market is.
It's also the main component of some plastic model glues.
By "even amateurs could make" I wanted to highlight how relatively simple of a molecule it is, not that they should. The impact is mostly industrial, those things that "even amateurs could make" tend to be really cheap.
With that in mind CH₂Cl₂ isn't that big of a deal. It's a reagent and it needs to be treated with respect and care; just like any other reagent. The worst mistakes don't even happen with those dangerous chemicals, it's with the ones that people think that are safe because they get sloppy with them. (Calcium carbide, glacial acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, this sort of stuff.)
Care to elaborate for the smooth brained?
It means that it's relatively easy to turn a bunch of cheap ingredients into the molecule in question. So if the molecule works and doesn't cause you harm, you can pretty much expect toothpaste manufacturers to include it in their toothpastes. That's good because toothpastes will be better getting rid of plaque and preventing cavities.
Chemical make dirty bad mouth gunk go away
Looks like it's being already sold for other uses.
That said this is concerning:
Interestingly, neither higher nor lower concentrations showed inhibition, and only 0.5 µM was an effective concentration at retaining apparent anti-biofilm properties against S. mutans.
It could mean that the effect wasn't really due to DIM or that dosing has to be pretty accurate to have the desired effect.
Yeah, this requirement of a very specific dosage is weird. Usually higher dosage means stronger effect, so it might be something else instead. That's a shame.