Imagine using a mouthwash so powerful that, along with brushing, you never had to worry about tooth decay again.
That may soon become reality thanks to a team of microbiologists at the UCLA School of Dentistry. They have developed a mouthwash that they say is “highly successful in targeting the harmful Streptococcus mutans bacteria” – the main cause of tooth decay and cavities.
Also read: Is Mouthwash a Substitute for Tooth Brushing?
In one of their more recent studies, 12 people who rinsed just one time with the experimental mouthwash experienced a nearly complete elimination of the S. mutans bacteria over a four-day testing period.
So what sets this super mouthwash apart from others currently on the market?
It’s called STAMP – a new antimicrobial technology that has been patented at UCLA. The mouthwash uses a STAMP known as C16G2 – and scientists say it acts as a “smart bomb,” eliminating only the harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Also read: Mouthwash Myth: Does it Get Rid of Bad Breath?
More extensive trials of this mouthwash just got underway last month. If the FDA ultimately approves STAMP C16G2 for general use in mouthwash, it will be the first such tooth decay prevention drug since fluoride was licensed 60 years ago!
