Baby soother features anti-bacterial innovation
The British Dental Health Foundation has put its weight behind the development of a baby soother that kills bacteria in babies’ mouths.
Anti-bacterial agent Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener and provides a useful substitute for high-sugar products that can cause tooth decay.
It has been in development at Turku University's Institute for Dentistry and could reach the market next year. The soother also contains probiotics to boost children's immune systems.
‘Xylitol is a proven way of stopping the bacteria, which cause tooth decay from attacking teeth,’ said foundation chief executive Dr Nigel Carter. ‘Some parents dip soothers into sugary fruit juices or honey. This can be very harmful, as it exposes tiny teeth to harmful acids.
‘The link between oral and general health has been proved through scientific research so these new products could become a useful tooth in looking after children's health.’
Around half of children under five years old suffer with decayed teeth, according to statistics from the Foundation.