By Danielle 
Natural ingredients commonly found in consumer products are increasingly being recognized for their ability to fight tooth decay. Two recent studies highlight the potential of chamomile extract and a compound derived from maple to help prevent cavities.
Maple compounds
Researchers at the University of Wyoming reported in Microbiology Spectrum in early August that a non-toxic compound found in maple syrup and green tea can inhibit sortase A, a protein produced by bacteria that cause cavities.
Postdoctoral researcher Ahmed Elbakush led the study, alongside molecular biology professor Mark Gomelsky and doctoral student Oliver Trunschke. The compound, epicatechin gallate (ECG), was particularly effective at inhibiting sortase A.
Sortase A proteins are produced by Streptococcus mutans, the primary bacteria responsible for cavities. These proteins allow the bacteria to adhere to tooth surfaces. When sortase A is blocked, the bacteria cannot stick to teeth and cannot form cavities.
While studying Listeria biofilms, Elbakush observed that Listeria monocytogenes struggles to cling to maple wood compared with other plant surfaces. This bacterium causes listeriosis, a serious infection that can affect the nervous system and, in rare cases, dental health.
“After years of research, we have figured out which compounds in maple are active and what they target in Listeria,” Gomelsky said.
“Once we understood that, we realized that other bacteria related to Listeria, like Streptococcus, have the same target protein, sortase A. So we wondered whether we could prevent S. mutans from attaching to teeth just as we can prevent Listeria from attaching to fresh produce.”
The researchers suggest these findings could inform the development of dental products. Many current oral health products contain potentially toxic ingredients, and maple-derived compounds may offer a safe, cost-effective alternative.
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Chamomile extracts
Chamomile, botanically named Matricaria chamomilla L., has long been known for its antimicrobial properties. A study published in ScienceDirect evaluated the antibacterial and anticariogenic effects of a hydroalcoholic extract of chamomile, with and without fluoride, on bovine enamel.
The researchers found that combining chamomile extract with fluoride significantly reduced Lactobacillus spp. and S. mutans levels compared with other groups. Lactobacillus bacteria can inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans, a key contributor to dental caries.
Key results included:
- Fluoride alone reduced mineral loss compared with chamomile extract or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
- Chamomile plus fluoride significantly reduced mean mineral loss compared with PBS.
- A superficial enamel layer formed only in the groups treated with fluoride, chamomile plus fluoride, or Periogard, with the thickest layer in the chamomile plus fluoride group.
The study highlighted phytotherapy—using plant extracts for therapeutic purposes—as a promising and cost-effective approach to preventing cavities. Chamomile contains phytochemicals with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and remineralizing effects, making it a strong candidate for oral health products.
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Chamomile belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to northern Europe, though it is widely distributed across Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, the United States, and cultivated in regions such as Brazil.