What do we eat, wear, watch?

     “Red wine can care for our teeth”, the Daily Express reported. The newspaper says that “a daily glass could help keep teeth healthy and reduce the need for fillings.”
This news report is based on a laboratory study investigating the effects that red wine (stripped of its alcohol) had on one type of bacteria that causes tooth decay. The results suggest that chemicals in red wine can stop bacteria sticking to extracted teeth in a petri dish, but this does not necessarily mean that drinking red wine will reduce the risk of cavities. It is possible that other components in the wine, such as sugars and acids, could counteract the effects, or that the wine does not remain in the mouth long enough.
Although this type of research might lead to the discovery of a chemical that might be useful in a toothpaste, it is unlikely that drinking red wine will ever be suggested by dentists as a good way to protect your teeth.