Ah, chocolate. Delicious modifier of moods, the king of comfort foods. But what if there were a more – shall we say – dentally beneficial quality to chocolate? Turns out, there is.
A recent study focused on a new toothpaste’s ability to remineralize exposed dentin. Theodent™, a toothpaste containing a natural chocolate extract, is actually thought to improve the health of teeth. Sure, most of us like chocolate – but does this toothpaste really work? Maybe so, says one recent study.
The study evaluated the enamel-strengthening potential of the patented compound Rennou™. The active ingredient of Rennou™ is theobromine, a prominent element of chocolate.
"Ironically, there is nothing in chocolate that can build healthier teeth," said Arman Sadeghpour, PhD, and chief executive officer of Theodent™. The study results were presented at a press briefing during the American Dental Association’s 2013 annual session.
How it works:
Consisting of 96% hydroxyapatite, enamel is the most highly mineralized substance in the body. According to Dr. Sadeghpour, Rennou™ may help rebuild the hydroxyapatite. In normal enamel, the hydroxyapatite unit crystal is approximately a half micron in size. When exposed to theobromine, the unit crystal quadruples in size, to approximately two microns. So what about consumer demand for a product like this?
In an interview with Medscape Medical News, Diane D. Romaine, DMD, MAGD, president of the Maryland State Dental Association's Charitable and Educational Foundation, and a practitioner in Frostburg, Maryland said, “As a practicing dentist in rural Appalachia, I see the effects of demineralization from soda consumption in children and young adults.” This suggests there is a need for effective products to neutralize these effects. "What I would really like to see," she added, "is that such a toothpaste is not a "niche, high-end product" but is available to those who really need it, where it could be even more effective.
Chime In:
We’d like to hear other dentists' thoughts. Do you believe there is a need for this type of toothpaste in the market? Why or why not?
