Cranberry Juice Rinsing Inhibits Children’s Supragingival Plaque Regrowth and Glycolysis

Objectives: The American cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, has been reported to benefit human health and is a popular remedy for self-treatment of urinary tract infections. Cranberry polyphenols, proanthocyanidins have been shown to inhibit in vitro biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans and the growth of many oral anaerobes. We have observed similar results in marketed cranberry juice. We hypothesize that rinsing and consumption of cranberry juice suppress metabolic activity of children’s dental plaque biofilm. Objectives: To evaluate the short-term effects on children’s supragingival plaque regrowth and glycolysis (acid production) after rinsing and consumption of cranberry juice.
Methods: Commercially marketed unsweetened 100% pure cranberry juice (CJ) and cranberry juice cocktail (CJC, 27% juice) were used. Fifteen children (7-12 years) participated in the controlled crossover study. Overnight fasting supragingival plaque from buccal and lingual surfaces in the left maxillary and mandibular quadrants of children was collected using a sterile swab (Baseline untreated plaque). Participants then rinsed with CJ or CJC for 30 seconds three consecutive times. After 30 minutes, their right maxillary and mandibular plaque was collected. Water was used as negative control. All plaque samples were assessed for acid production and regrowth after 2 and 4hr at 37°C. There was a three-day washout period between visits.
Results: Rinsing and consumption of 100% cranberry juice inhibited the average regrowth (~26 %) and acid production (2hr, ΔpH: 0.28) of children’s supragingival plaque bacteria. No significant inhibition was noted after exposure to CJC (27% juice) or water. There was no significant difference in efficacy between CJC and the water control.
Conclusions: Consumption of cranberry products may represent a healthier alternative over the popular sugary snacks for children. The concept of oral diseases prevention using dietary foods represents a healthy, novel and innovative approach in promoting children’s oral health (Research supported by Pediatric Dentistry Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL)