I asked a dentist once why some people could brush, floss, gargle, and spit all day and still get cavities.
How do they look? Like rabbit teeth… beaver, maybe, I don’t know… just BIG. I asked a dentist once why some people could brush and floss and gargle and spit all day and still get cavities. He looked at me and said, “Genetics. You’re just doomed. You have horrible teeth.” I don’t, but maybe you do.
If you’re one of those people cursed with tooth decay problems, there might be a glimmer of hope on the horizon. It turns out there’s a new school of thought when it comes to cleaning your pearly whites… or your sludgy yellows. The idea is simple: stop trying to kill decay-causing bacteria, and instead, replace them with the harmless variety.
Oral biologist Jeffrey Hillman has taken the strain of Streptococcus mutans that normally occurs in the mouth, and genetically modified it so it doesn’t produce tooth-decaying acid when feeding on sugar. It crowds out the nasty bacteria and keeps the enamel intact.
So, does it work? I mean, is this for real? Can I eat a whole bag of carmels and not have to brush my teeth afterwards?
Yeah, as far as I can tell, that’s what it means.
But don’t start celebrating just yet. Remember, I said “a glimmer of hope,” because the bacteria is transgenic, meaning it uses genetic information from two different species and it has to go through FDA approval before it can be tested clinically on you and me.
So, wait… It’s untested?!
Yes. Kind of. Well, they did a clinical trial on two people. That’s all the FDA would let ‘em do. I mean it had to be people with dentures, who were healthy and under 55… and… that’s a pretty small segment of people. Man, I gotta find my brush! Ewww!
The good news is: the FDA’s approved a much larger clinical trial, so it could come out soon. “Soon” meaning 30 years?… 20 years. Does that mean I don’t have to brush anymore?
No, ’cause if the clinical trials don’t go well, it’ll never be released. I mean, they do a whole lot of clinical trials at the FDA to make sure that it’s okay, because you never know when a genetically modified little buggy is gonna take over the world… or cause some wierd intestinal problem… or spread, without your permission. Seriously. Rampant, misbehaving transgenic bacteria could be a HUGE problem! But that doesn’t mean we won’t try it!
This isn’t the only case where people have been modifying little buggies and commanding them to do our bidding. Researchers are using bacteria used in cheese production to fight off Crohn’s disease and salmonella to attack tumors. Go, salmonella!! Had to be good for something, right? Who would of thought that little creepy-crawlies and chicken poop could cure your cancer? Tumors. Right. Whatever.
You see, bugs can be beautiful! Those tiny microbiological demons we’ve grown to hate could turn into your newest best symbiotic buddies. Hey – it could happen!
What else has big teeth? Chipmunks… rodents, mostly. They’re straight, but horrible! Maybe get ‘em filed down… I’d probably get more cavities.
Transcribed by: Janelle
Share the show:
Copy this code onto your site or blog:
21 Comments
zappyguy111
YAY! Something I'll be sure to try it out.oohshiny
@johnb300m: You know you can say it either way go watch the grammar video.Johnb300m
it's pronounced: care-a-melthorondor
@Meandering After a .18 sec internet search, I believe that the back of the knee is referred to as the "Popliteal". http://www.medicinenet.com/knee_pain/glossary.htmMeandering
More teeth/brushing episodes the better in my opinion. Teeth, the most neglected part of the body ... well that ...thorondor
Go for stereotypesxigging
wow Allan, you found one case out of the millions of clinical trials that have been done, and used that ...Glenn
In this case, not really. Most mutations are detrimental to the organism, and a lot of the rest are ...Shikeishuu
Wait, so you're the events of a hollywood movie aren't really plausible?Glenn
No, I don't think they saw it, but I did and I happen to know a little bit about genetics ...Shikeishuu
Did you guys see I am Legend? Yeah.Look Behind You
huh...you don't say...Gigi
I fascinating source of information related to this can be found at westonaprice.org. To attempt to summarize it here ...Allan
FDA approval means nothing except that the organization producing said development has paid off the right people and cooked the ...steph
I never get cavities. must be because i take good care of my teeth =D. but i can never seem ...Marc
Interesting. I wonder if the crazies will start screaming about genetically modified products. If only they understood that ...hygentist
It's not just genetic though: Streptococcus mutans is only able to produce cavities when the pH of the saliva drops ...Nospinplease
Huh, those little critters may help us or DESTORY US ALL!!! Nice info.Dave
Don't feel bad. Your teeth are whiter than mine. I love my coffee too much so they're nice and stained. ...Curtis
Was that about a 25-second rule for the toothbrush on the floor? Oh well, I'd call it good.pkw
I never thought I would be, but yeah! first. This is coming too late. My oldest already appears ...