Liquorice lollipop fights tooth decay
A study carried out in America has revealed that a liquorice lollipop can effectively fight tooth decay.
The sugar free lollipop has been found to actively fight decay by reducing the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
The US study, which was carried out in Lansing, Michigan, involved 66 pre-school children aged between 2 and 5 years old. During the study period the children were given the lollipop, which contains liquorice root extract, for ten minutes twice a day for three weeks. The results of the study showed that the lollipops reduced Streptococcus mutans, bacteria which are associated with decay. The lollipops have been developed by Wenyuan Shi, a microbiologist and dental professor.
Researchers tested the saliva of the participating children during the study period and for a period of time after. The results showed a significant reduction in S.mutans both throughout the study and after the test period. There was a reduction for 22 days after the trial period ended.
Jacqueline Tallman, principal investigator on the study, said that the findings of the study were important not only for research in cavities and decay, but also for developing an effective protocol for schoolchildren.
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