(14-01-11) Red Wine and Cranberries are Good for Your Teeth

Compounds found in red wine and cranberries can prevent cavities and plaque
build-up. The wine compounds, which are called polyphenols, do this by
blocking a molecule made by the bacteria streptococcus mutans.

These molecules break down sugar to make sticky molecules called glucans,
which let bacteria cling to your teeth and damage their surfaces.

Live Science reports:

"But the fermented grape stems, seeds, and skins left over from wine
production contain high amounts of polyphenols. The polyphenols can block the
ability of S. mutans to make glucans ... [C]ompounds in cranberries work
similarly -- they block the molecules that enable the sticky surface to form on
our teeth."

Sources:
Live Science December 17, 2010
Caries Research 2010; 44(2):116-26

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