Honey and teeth

Since the 4th century BC, Aristotle recommended honey for many diseases. Today we know that the therapeutic virtues, which were once believed to be a gift from God, are due to countless substances contained in it, and the more research progresses, the more the magical world of the beehive reveals secrets and wonders. For example, where do its antibacterial properties come from? So, honey and teeth, is it a right or wrong combination?

We know that honey is a concentrated sugary solution with a water content between 15 and 18%, so it was assumed that due to osmotic effect, it could remove water from microbial agents, but antibacterial properties persist even in liquefied honey. It was assumed that it was the degree of acidity, but there are neutral or even basic honeys with unchanged antibacterial properties. Today, research believes that certain substances of various compositions contained in honey, which are collected under the name “inhibins,” contribute much more to the antimicrobial contribution. Therefore, we talk about lysozyme, flavonoids, aromatic acids, but also B-group vitamins, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, etc… All substances that bees collect from plants but treat in a way that is still largely unknown but are effective against many germs that are dangerous for us, including those responsible for dental caries.

However, this does not mean that teeth should be treated with honey. Like all substances, the right amount and the right precautions are essential to avoid going from benefit to harm. In fact, the high sugar content and the slight acidity (pH 4-5) should lead to the caution of not letting it stay on the dental enamel for a long time. However, it is sufficient to rinse the mouth with a glass of water after tasting it. Of course, we are talking about natural, artisanal honey, the safe one, and not the one with uncertain origin, which should be kept cool and not exposed to too much light.

Moreover, it can be consumed during pregnancy where the sedative effect of honey is comparable to that of anxiolytics (benzodiazepines). It has a marked diuretic action mainly due to glucose, contains prostanoic acid, phospholipids, and phospholipase A2, all substances that intervene in the synthesis of prostaglandins and prostacyclin.

Honey provides energy and structural substances useful for the nutrition of the mother and child, facilitates digestion, is a good remedy for nausea and gastric acidity, very useful in case of toxemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

However, be careful NOT to give honey to newborns because it exposes them to the risk of infant botulism. This is a rare but serious disease that can be caused by the presence in honey of spores of Clostridium botulinum that could reactivate in active bacteria in the baby’s intestine and produce a very strong toxin, unfortunately sometimes lethal. After one year of age, however, the intestinal bacterial flora is better able to defend itself against the possible presence of this pathogenic agent.

In conclusion, the combination of honey and teeth is winning and healthy but with some precautions.

Citations:

In vitro anti-infiammatory properties of honey flavoniods.

Le proprietà del miele.