Word: lactobacilli
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...Sweets. Jay's 18-year study of teeth has convinced him that (as many dentists now believe) the prime cause of tooth decay is a germ called Lactobacillus acidopholus. Found in saliva, it attacks teeth from the outside. Sugar is bad for the teeth because lactobacilli thrive...
...tooth-decay preventive, Jay is experimenting with a six-weeks diet (starting with no sugar or carbohydrates and gradually increasing the allowance) which seems to discourage the enamel-eating lactobacilli for six months to two years afterward. (Jay guesses that a sugarless diet may encourage the growth of germs that fight lactobacilli.) The best recipe for good teeth: drink fluorine-containing water in childhood (TIME, April 24, 1944). If fluorine, which lactobacilli detest, is introduced into the enamel while the teeth are being formed, the teeth get permanent protection...
Extrin is made by Extrin Foods, Inc. of New York City. It is a culture of Lactobacilli* (bulgaricus, acidophilus, moro) and yeast (fragitans), grown in heavy cream and buttermilk, which continue to work in hydrogenated vegetable oils. The culture includes natural annatto extract (for coloring) and salt. Two ounces of Extrin will permeate ten pounds of shortening. Together with two ounces of salt, a quart of water and 3 Ib. of butter, this makes a mixture which can legally be called "butter spread." But even without any butter, Extrinized shortening is almost impossible to tell from the real thing...
Nobody knows exactly why teeth decay. Dentists generally agree on one clue to the mystery: certain acid-forming bacteria, such as lactobacilli, grow on tooth enamel, ferment crumbs of sweet and starchy foods which lodge in tooth crevices. The acid thus formed dissolves calcium in the teeth, causes cavities...
Like sweat and urine, saliva contains urea, a nitrogen compound. Dr. Stephan found that two groups of antagonistic bacteria flourish in saliva: 1) the destructive lactobacilli; 2) harmless germs of the staphylococcus family. By brewing an enzyme called urease. the staphylococci split up urea in the saliva into an ammonium compound, which neutralizes the erosive acid. Dr. Stephan's conclusion: teeth may decay when the saliva does not contain enough urea, or when the staphylococci are sluggish...