A new study recently found that licorice may be able to help fight cavity-causing bacteria, and the dental health care professionals at Affinity Dental, your Richmond dentist, would like to weigh in on the issue and help you make an informed oral health care decision.
Dried Licorice May Fight Cavities
Actual licorice isn’t a candy sold in stores – we at Affinity Dental Clinic, your Richmond dentist, don’t actually recommend ‘fake’ licorice as a treat. Licorice candy can stick to your teeth and in fact help the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities and gum disease.
Real licorice, on the other hand, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and in homoeopathic medicine for centuries, and now a study has found that dried licorice root contains licoricidin and licorisoflavan A.
Licoricidin and licorisoflavan A. are effective in killing the bacteria that’s responsible for gum disease and tooth decay. Did you know gum disease and tooth decay are the root cause of 80% of all dental problems? Or that gum disease is the second most common disease in North America, second only to the common cold?
Licorice may be able to reduce your risk of gum disease and cavities if used in a complete oral health care routine that includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day for at least 3 minutes, flossing carefully before bed and visiting our Richmond dental clinic at least twice a year for regular dental checkups.
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