Consume toothpaste for healthier lungs?

Toothpaste is one of the most important grooming products. But do you know that it can be beneficial for your health? Besides giving you white and sparkling teeth, fresh breath and healthy gums, toothpaste can help combat lungs problems, a study claim. 

A study by researchers at Michigan State University in the US found that a common antibacterial substance found in toothpaste may combat life-threatening diseases such as cystic fibrosis, when combined with an already approved drug.

How can toothpaste boost your health?

According to the study, when triclosan, a substance that reduces or prevents bacteria from growing, is combined with antibiotic tobramycin, it kills the cells that protect the cystic fibrosis (CF) bacteria, known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, by up to 99.9 per cent.

Biofilm that allows the disease to thrive even when treated with antibiotics protects the CF bacteria making it difficult to kill them.

Professor at Michigan State University Chris Waters said there are many common biofilm-related infections that people get such as ear infections and swollen, painful gums caused by gingivitis.

However, more serious, potentially fatal diseases join the ranks of CF, including endocarditis, or inflammation of the heart, as well as infections from artificial hip and pacemaker implants.

How safe is the use of toothpaste?

Researchers said that use of Tobramycin in toothpaste is safe and highly effective in fighting gingivitis, and it is still approved for use.

Although Tobramycin is currently the most widely used treatment for CF, it typically does not clear the lungs of infection, Waters said.

The study was published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.