Do raisins cause dental decay, or do raisins help prevent dental caries

Raisin compounds may reduce cavity-causing bacteria - link: www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/article-display/301023/articles/dental-economics/industry-news/raisin-compounds-may-reduce-cavity-causing-bacteria.html
- various compounds in raisins-~~oleanolic acid and its derivatives~~-inhibit growth of Streptococcus mutans and the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis that causes gum disease.
  - Further, they inhibit two enzymes-~~glucosyl transferase and amylase~~-that could increase dental caries. The glucosyl transferase is involved in the biosynthesis of sticky glucan involved in plaque, and the amylase hydrolyzes starches into sugars which is the first step in acid production. In addition, catechin and other phenolic antioxidants quell reactive oxygen
    species that are root causes of inflammation in gingivitis

- Some sources say the stickiness of raisins makes them more likely to cause decay. Sticky foods like breads or raisins stay in the mouth much longer, and increase the potential for decay. Calcium-rich foods like cheese, eaten immediately after sugar, can help protect against demineralisation.
- Raisins, and other dried fruits, are not a good idea for diabetics

Another vegetarian patient came to me with rampant decay. After much indignant denial about eating or drinking sugared foods, I discovered that she ate RAISINS throughout the day. Fresh fruit does not stick to the teeth and rarely is involved in the sugar habit syndrome, but raisins and other dried fruit are very much like gumdrops as far as the teeth are concerned. The sticky raisin paste remains on the teeth long after the raisin is eaten, and releases sugar into the saliva for quite a long time. - From Doctorspiller.com