A healthy mouthful
New functional foods for the mouth could hit shelves as more is understood about oral bacteria, according to Dutch contract research giant TNO.
The firm is working with a consortium of dairy, confectionery and oral care manufacturers on a research programme on the mouth.
To date, most research on bacteria has focused on the large intestine, said TNO business development manager Rik Thijssen. "But we know that there are, for example, links between oral bacteria and cardiovascular disease."
New research will explore the nature and balance of oral microflora, the most effective ways of administering beneficial ingredients and optimum dosages, he said. "The gap is closing between food and oral care. Everything is connected: if oral flora are unbalanced, for example, it can affect teeth and gums."
While TNO has developed a model gut, it has yet to develop a model mouth. However, this could change, said Thijssen. "We're working on something that mimics biting, chewing and the effects of saliva that we can fit on top of our model gut and use for in vitro testing purposes."
