World Oral Health Day: Opening wide for sweeteners and probiotics to prevent dental diseases

19 Mar 2021 --- Brushing teeth, flossing and rinsing are long-established means of preventing dental diseases, but the role of nutrition is not fully understood.

Nonetheless, food, beverages and supplements can all play various parts in helping consumers “be proud of your mouth,” this year’s theme for World Oral Health Day, celebrated annually on March 20.

Ahead of the event, NutritionInsight speaks with The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), The International Sweeteners Association (ISA) and Lallemand Health Solutions to spotlight this year’s most pressing oral challenges.

It all begins in the mouth
Consumers know the scope of oral health exceeds “more than just a pretty smile,” says Camille Binachon, responsible for Lallemand Health Solutions’ oral health portfolio. 

The awareness of the importance of maintaining oral hygiene is growing. According to Statista data, revenue in the Oral Care segment amounts to over US$45 million in 2021. The market is expected to grow annually by 4.6 percent (CAGR 2021-2025).

However, many people are not aware that there are links between poor oral health and diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, says Donna Wells, manager of professional practice at the CDHA. 

Half of the 4,500 European and Southeast Asian respondents to GSK’s 2021 Oral Healthcare survey were unaware of good oral health’s role in helping with one or more broader health conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, controlling blood sugar levels or diabetes.

LNCS are not fermentable ingredients, meaning they are not broken down by bacteria in the mouth.Factoring sugar out of the equation
Sugary beverages are a long-time contributor to poor oral health. Wells affirms water should be the “drink of choice,” rather than sugar-containing soda or fruit juices. 

“It is also important to limit the intake of simple carbohydrates such as chips, granola bars, cookies and crackers and sugary foods such as milk chocolate and candy. These types of food and drink lead to acid attacks in the mouth, increasing the risk for cavities.”

The ISA highlights low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) can work as alternatives to sugar to prevent poor dental health outcomes. As LNCS are not fermentable ingredients – meaning they are not broken down by bacteria in the mouth – they do not contribute to tooth decay.

Consequently, there is an abundance of potential for LNCS in F&B reformulation. Last month, NutritionInsight sat down with Batory Foods to discuss its latest sweetener blends launch. 

The sucrose replacers ensure the closest functional match to sucrose across various applications, mindful there is “no one size fits all solution” for sugar replacement.

“Reviewing the scientific data in 2011, the European Food Safety Authority acknowledged that F&B consumption containing sweeteners instead of sugar contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralization, thereby helping maintain healthy teeth and prevent dental caries,” adds the ISA source.

Fighting bacteria with bacteria
The mouth harbors a rich and complex microflora, where more than 700 species can be detected. An altered or imbalanced oral microflora, caused by poor hygiene routine, illness, lifestyle or chemical factors, can lead to poor oral health. 

Once released in the mouth, probiotics trigger specific modes of action. They can compete for adhesion sites in the mouth or aggregate against oral opportunistic microorganisms, therefore inhibiting their adhesion to teeth and gum tissue. 

Lallemand Health Solutions researches the best strains to maintain healthy gums, teeth, mouth or breath.One of the conditions for targeted efficiency, however, is properly reaching the site of action. “The future lies in innovative delivery formats, such as chewable tablets, soluble or orodispersible powders in sachet or sticks and soluble powders to take with water,” predicts Binachon.

“On-the-go solutions make it convenient and easier for consumers to incorporate probiotic supplements to take care of their oral health, wherever they are.”

Lallemand Health Solutions’ Oralis SB is a unique combination of four probiotic strains: Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell-52, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11, Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175 and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-1079.

With an approved Canadian health claim, Oralis SB can “help promote dental health through the control of S. mutans growth and plaque formation.”

A third-party opinion
When asked about the role of LNCS and probiotics in supporting oral health, Wells from CDHA points out there have been promising results in this field. However, there is still research that needs to be done.

“Products like erythritol and xylitol and certain types of probiotics have been shown to decrease the type of bacteria known to cause cavities,” she details.

“Xylitol can also decrease dry mouth for some people. More research is still needed to determine if probiotics can have a positive effect on bad breath and gum disease.”

More research needed on halitosis
Also known as bad breath, halitosis is commonly caused by dental plaque, tooth decay, gingivitis, dryness of the mouth and an accumulation of food debris in-between teeth. 

While it can have non-oral origins, halitosis comes from inside the mouth in 85 percent of cases, says Binachon. 

Flossing regularly can help prevent residue food from festering between teeth and gums.“Anaerobic bacteria concentrated between teeth produce malodorous gases, such as volatile sulfur compounds out of organic substrates.” 

Only a few probiotic strains in Lallemand Health Solutions’ portfolio offer potential benefits for maintaining healthy breath. “In vitro studies are currently ongoing to evaluate the strains’ antimicrobial activity against bacteria-producing volatile sulfur compounds,” Binachon explains. 

Pandemic’s effect
Reflecting on the past year since last World Oral Health Day, CDHA states it is proud to have raised awareness on the importance of oral health despite lockdown restrictions. The organization spent time indoors developing public resources and online tips for maintaining good oral health. 

Due to restrictions and aims to reduce COVID-19 transmissions, 30 percent of the GSK survey respondents had visited a dentist less frequently during the pandemic. However, 64 percent shared they were “likely” to visit a dentist in the next six months. 

“Brushing twice daily for two minutes, cleaning in between teeth daily with floss using antibacterial mouth rinse can help smilers worldwide “be proud of your mouth,” says Wells.

“Keeping those pearly whites white and your gums healthy helps the rest of your body be healthy.”

By Anni Schleicher