Daily Mail (U.K.)
September 24, 2002

COULD A SIMPLE LOZENGE PREVENT GUM DISEASE?

A remarkable new antioxidant lozenge could be the first of its kind to help prevent gum disease (periodontitis), which affects 90 per cent of people at some stage during their lives, and is the most common reason for trips to the dentist.

Not only is gum disease bad for general oral health, but also it has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease.

The ThioCare™ Oral Lozenge, which will be available from October in Boots ($19.99 for 30 lozenges), is made from entirely natural ingredients. It is the first antioxidant formula from the mouth and is delivered directly into the blood via the buccal glands, whch are small glands in the mucus membrane lining of the mouth. Antioxidants are a major factor in preventing general illness and disease as they fight free radicals (poisonous waste products from the body caused by oxidization damage to cells).
However, they specifically aid the mouth by helping prevent free radical damage in the mouth that can result in ulcers, inflammation of the gums, tooth decay and bad breath. Although the human body has its own capability to counteract normal levels of free radical damage through antioxidants absorbed in our diet, when alien toxins, such as tobacco and alcohol are consumed, our natural defense systems fail to provide sufficient protection and illness and disease, including gum disease, can set in.

Gum disease and other oro-pharyngeal pathologies, including cancers of the mouth and throat, are incidentally serious complications of smoking tobacco.

- Amy Anderson

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