Researchers Jose Cordova of Yale University and Erich Astudillo of Chile’s Universidad de Santiago discovered a molecule they call Keep 32 that kills the bacteria responsible for all the trauma you suffered as a child, lying down blinded by the light as a masked man poked bits of metal in your mouth. Sometimes you don’t feel anything. Sometimes you feel funny.

We all know how it works: Teeth + candy – brushing = cavities. The bacteria Streptococcus mutans metabolizes the sugar, turning it into lactic acid that slowly but surely dissolves the tooth enamel. The Keep 32 molecule kills this bacteria, thus helping you keep all 32 of your teeth in perfect shape. So, how is this better than fluoride? Well, for one, fluoride works by strengthening the tooth enamel, not killing the bacteria – it treats the symptoms and not the cause. Keep 32 goes directly to the cause of your grief.

The patent-pending molecule appears to be quite versatile, and can reportedly be added into mouthwash, toothpaste, gum, candy and even proper food. Cordova and Astudillo are currently in talks to obtain funding for their trials, and if they succeed, we can expect dentally beneficial candy in 18 months. Considering how much money this can potentially make some people, I’m sure there won’t be a problem.

But for now, I shall keep my joy in check, because it will all come to naught if the Keep 32 candy don’t taste like candy.

(via Geek.com)

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