Honey for Oral Health
Researcher to Discuss the Effect of Honey on Bacteria Species
Responsible for Dental Caries
LONGMONT, Colo., Feb. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, March 9, 2001, Dr. Peter
C. Molan, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Waikato,
New Zealand will speak at a symposium entitled "Functional Foods for Oral
Health" organized by the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. The
symposium is part of the American Association for Dental Research annual
meeting being held in Chicago. In his presentation "Honey for Oral Health,"
Dr. Molan will present the results of laboratory research to test the effect
of honey on the species of dental plaque bacteria believed to be responsible
for dental caries.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010226/SFM133 )
Honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide which is believed to
be the main reason for the antimicrobial activity of honey. Types of honey
differ greatly in their antimicrobial potency, varying as much as a hundred
fold. The research has shown that honey not only stops the growth of the
dental plaque bacteria, it reduces the amount of acid produced, which stops
the bacteria from producing dextran. Dextran, a component of dental plaque,
is the gummy polysaccharide that the bacteria produce in order to adhere to
the surface of the teeth.
Dr. Molan's research is showing potential for the use of selected highly
antimicrobial types of honey in the treatment of periodontal disease and
gingivitis. These diseases are inflammatory conditions resulting from
infection of the gums. The factors involved are very similar to those in
inflamed infected wounds. Clinical research is showing that the selected
honeys rapidly clear bacteria from infected wounds, even when the infection
is deep-seated. However, unlike some other antiseptics, honey is gentler on
tissue. The potent anti-inflammatory property of the honey rapidly removes
the swelling and pain. Honey also has a marked stimulatory effect on the
growth of cells that repair the tissues damaged by infection.
Dr. Molan heads The University of Waikato Honey Research Unit, recognized for
its expertise in the composition of honey including antimicrobial activity.
In New Zealand and Australia, honey producers have batches of honey tested in
the laboratory to identify the samples with high activity. Those types are
now labeled and marketed as "antiseptic." The National Honey Board is now
coordinating efforts to have varieties of honey found in the United States
tested to identify the floral types that have good antimicrobial activity.
Dr. Molan will be available for interviews on Thursday, March 8, 2001. For
information contact Mary Ann Johnson at 415-268-5421 or
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For a preview VNR on the latest honey research:
Antibacterial
http://tm.intervu.net/template/smirror/prodcity/g2-vod.ram?stream=honey/healfu
ll.rm
Energy
http://tm.intervu.net/template/smirror/prodcity/g2-vod.ram?stream=honey/enrgfu
ll.rm
SOURCE National Honey Board
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