There is a University of New Orleans connection to the highly publicized local launch of a new toothpaste that uses an extract of cocoa as its active ingredient. Theodent LLC unveiled its products at a Wednesday news conference. Theodent Classic is being sold at Whole Foods stores in the United States and Canada.
In the 1980s, William Simmons, UNO professor of earth and environmental sciences, and research technologist Alexander Falster made the key discovery in their laboratory that theobromine, which is found in cocoa, makes tooth enamel more resistant to decay. Simmons is still a part of Theodent LLC.
Theodent toothpaste contains no fluoride, instead relying on a proprietary blend of cocoa extract and other minerals that has been shown to strengthen tooth enamel. Developers say the toothpaste offers an alternative to consumers who worry about ingesting fluoride, which has been associated with a number of health conditions.