Shoppers may want to stock up on wine and cranberries this Christmas after it was found that they could both help in the battle against emergency dentistry.
According to scientists at the University of Rochester, both contain substances that can fight against the bacteria Streptococcus mutans.
This can attach itself to the sugar left on teeth after meals and eat away at the tooth enamel, eventually resulting in decay and possibly even emergency dentistry.
However, it can be beaten and neutralised by cranberries washed down with a glass of vino.
Dr Hyun Koo, one of the lead researchers, said: "Natural substances offer tremendous possibilities for stopping tooth decay."
For maximum benefits, they should be consumed alone rather than added to sugary desserts and sauces.
In August 2010, the British Dental Health Foundation also recommended drinking water or milk after a meal to prevent bad bacteria clinging to and then attacking teeth.
