this post was submitted on 11 Sep 2023
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Scientists Discover Natural Molecule That Eradicates Plaques and Cavities (scitechdaily.com)
submitted 1 year ago by Bobo@lemm.ee to c/science@beehaw.org
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Scientists have discovered that the molecule DIM reduces biofilms causing dental plaque by 90%. Its addition to toothpaste and mouthwash could revolutionize dental hygiene. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) decreased the Streptococcus mutans biofilm, a leading contributor to plaque and cavities, by 90%.

A significant portion of the global population experiences persistent issues with dental plaque and cavities or will face them at some time. While toothpaste, mouthwash, and routine dental visits help in prevention, there’s always room for improvement.

Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in collaboration with teams from Sichuan University and the National University of Singapore, have identified that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) – a naturally occurring molecule also referred to as bisindole – can reduce biofilms responsible for plaque and cavities by a remarkable 90%.

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[–] lvxferre@lemmy.ml 26 points 1 year ago (17 children)

I've checked the molecule in question, it's that sort of stuff that even amateurs could make in a backyard lab, from indole and dichloromethane (use AlCl₃ as catalyst). So if the effects are real and there aren't too big counter-effects, this will spread like wildfire.

[–] Isoprenoid@programming.dev 11 points 1 year ago (7 children)

even amateurs could make in a backyard lab, from indole and dichloromethane

I hope they don't. Dichloromethane ain't nothing to mess with. Wikipedia page section on its toxicity

[–] BadEngineering@kbin.social 14 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

That's the cool part about chemistry, when used in this synthesis the dichloromethane becomes a whole new (presumably safe, but we'll see what further testing turns up) molecule. Sodium is explosive and Chlorine is highly corrosive, but combine them and you get regular old table salt. Just because a reagent is dangerous doesn't mean the products it creates will be.

Edit: I just did a little research and it looks like 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is safe for human consumption. It's already sold as a dietary supplement. It's marketed to help with metabolism of estrogens but we all know how "trustworthy" the dietary supplement market is.

[–] theangriestbird@beehaw.org 4 points 1 year ago

I don't think they were implying that DIM is unsafe, but rather saying that they hope people don't try to handle the dangerous reagent in their backyard.

[–] Isoprenoid@programming.dev 2 points 1 year ago

Just because a reagent is dangerous doesn’t mean the products it creates will be.

I understand that. My concern was with amateur chemists mucking around with the dangerous reagent in their backyards. Imagine them ventilating their lab and killing the neighbours dog, things like that. Or not disposing of wastes appropriately.

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