Cranberries help ward off gum disease

LAVAL, Quebec, July 10 (UPI) -- A Canadian study says natural compounds in cranberries may help ward off periodontitis, or severe gum disease, as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.

This anti-inflammatory effect may be attributed to unique compounds in the fruit that prevent P. gingivalis bacteria from adhering to the teeth below the gum line, according to study leader Julie Labrecque, of the University of Laval.

"We know that brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings reduces the risk of developing periodontitis by helping to prevent the onset of gingivitis, or gum infection," said Labrecque. "With this new study, cranberries may provide an interesting ingredient in the development of new therapeutic approaches for treatment of periodontitis."

The findings have been published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Previous research has shown that cranberry compounds may also prevent certain oral bacteria from directly destroying gum tissue itself -- another major factor contributing to periodontitis.