How to Use Cranberry to Prevent Dental Plaque

Dental plaque, a buildup on the teeth of a biofilm containing bacteria, is a precursor to cavities or other problems, such as gingivitis. Cranberry can stop plaque-producing organisms from adhering to your tooth enamel.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Fresh or frozen cranberries
• Medium saucepan
• Light corn syrup
• Water
• Heavy saucepan
• Butter
• Cocoa
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Confectioners sugar
• Coconut
• Nuts

1. Eat cranberries for the benefit of flavonoids, such as quercetin and myricetin, which are effective in reducing the formation of enzymes associated with plaque formation.
2. Let the phenolic acids in cranberries block bacteria from adhering to tooth surfaces. Reducing bacteria will help prevent plaque buildup.
3. Give the anthocyanins and condensed tannins found in cranberry juice an opportunity to prevent the formation of acid which can erode tooth enamel. Once the enamel is compromised, tooth decay will likely follow.
4. Interrupt the formation of dental plaque with the glucan found in cranberry juice. Glucan is one of the major components of plaque. It is an enzyme used by bacteria to cover a tooth with plaque.

Eat Cranberry Truffles

5. Enjoy cranberry truffles as part of your cranberry intake for the day. Start with a medium saucepan and combine 2 cups of frozen or fresh cranberries, 3/4 cup of light corn syrup and 1/4 cup of water.
6. Cook the mixture while stirring constantly until the cranberries pop and the mixture becomes thickened.
7. Set the mixture aside and allow to cool.
8. Use a heavy saucepan over medium heat to melt 3/4 cup of butter.
9. Stir in 3/4 cup cocoa followed by a 14-oz. can of sweetened condensed milk. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens.
10. Add the cooled cranberry mixture and stir until mixed completely.
11. Place mixture in the refrigerator until chilled, usually between 3 to 4 hours. Mixture should be firm enough to shape into 1-inch balls.
12. Roll the balls in a coating of confectioners sugar, shredded coconut, chopped nuts or cocoa powder.
13. Store in the refrigerator for a quick cranberry treat. Make sure you brush your teeth, rinse and floss thoroughly after eating.

Tips & Warnings

• Use low-fat and reduced-sugar ingredients to prevent sugar buildup on teeth.
• Use dental floss containing cranberry extract to clean between your teeth after every meal. You will remove any trapped food that can cause plaque and decay while putting the power of cranberry on the surface of your teeth and gums.