BASF Developed Anti-Cavity Product

NEW YORK—BASF hopes to market a cavity-inhibiting bacteria product, Pro-T-Action, in toothpaste, mouthwash and candy as early as next year. The German-based chemical maker partnered with OrganoBalance, a Berlin-based microbiology company to make the product. They engineered a process that clusters harmful bacterial in the mouth before they bind with sugar and form plaque. The process uses a microorganism related to those used in yogurt cultures. The organism and bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, are then swallowed as part of the mouth’s natural cleaning process. The company says the bacteria is found in the mouth and humans already digest it regularly.

University of Connecticut Health Center's Jason Tanzer studied BASF's results by feeding two groups of rats a diet high in sugar. In one group, Pro-T-Action was added to the rat’s food. Tooth decay in the group of rats using Pro-T-Action was far less pronounced than in the group not using the product.

The active organism in Pro-T-Action is dead so it doesn't need to be refrigerated and can be used in a wide array of products like sugar-free candy, gum, toothpaste and possibly beverages like smoothies. To be effective, the product needs to be in the mouth for about 10 to 15 seconds.