Genetically Modified Mouthwashing Bacteria

Moxen writes: "The BBC is running an article about a genetically modified bacterium that is intended to replace the existing lactic-acid-producing variety currently residing in your mouth. Once the new bacteria have replaced the old, you can apparently expect the elimination of 'most tooth decay.' Rather clever, if you don't mind playing host to a colony of GMOs."

Comments

Kissing is a patent infringement.

[andaru]

How do they prevent this from indiscriminately spreading between people who kiss each other?

If it did spread through kissing, how would they make their money back?

Police Officer: I'm sorry, son, you're going to have to come with me. Seems like you've got an illegal copy of DNA sequence 9422136A residing in the bacteria in your mouth.

This will never work :(

[eggstasy]

Because of the Almighty Buck's all-mighty interests.
If we could be free of cavities forever with just one whiff of a spray, then half the dentists out there would be out of business, and so would toothpaste/brush industries.
I would sure like a bit of that spray though.
I have a genetic condition that weakens my teeth somehow. My grandmother had mostly false teeth when she turned 20 and my mother has the same problem. I brush my teeth like 5 times a day and I keep getting cavities. Most of my teeth have already been drilled at least once and I'm only 22 years old :|

Mouthwash

[PoiBoy]

Listerine and other breath fresheners work in part by killing bacteria in the mouth. Are these bacteria immune?

More importantly, it seems implausible that this treatment is a once-in-a-lifetime affair. I might believe it would last a week, but no more than that. What if someone brushes his teeth? Even if one need no longer worry about cavities, brushing is still required to remove plaque and prevent gum disease.

Is Listerene once-in-a-lifetime?

[andaru]

These bacteria would survive in the same way the current ones do. Either the Listerene doesn't kill them all, and they just repopulate from what survives, or the population gets replaced from outside (like from putting your fingers in your mouth).

Either way, if the new bacteria outcompete the old bacteria (which is the requirment for ensuring that they will take over your mouth), then the new bacteria will probably be better able to survive a Listerene attack than the old one.

Re:View from a Biochemist

[phazei]

But what type of alchol does it produce? AFAIK most alchol is poisonous to us. Even at the minute levels it would be producing I would think its effects over time wouldn't be a good thing.