Office of Research: Faculty

My main research program involves the exploration and identification of plant-derived oral antimicrobial agents for the control of oral pathogens and their biofilms. Many such compounds have been identified, and their mechanistic studies against oral pathogens have been evaluated. These compounds may find application directly as dental prophylactic/therapeutic agents or serve as lead compounds for the subsequent design and synthesis of new agents that are safer and more effective than the existing ones. The mechanistic studies of natural agents that interfere or prevent dental plaque microbial biofilm formation are emphasized and the effects of these agents on de- and re-mineralization of dental caries lesions are also examined. Clinical studies conducted in my laboratory include the investigations of natural products, beverages, snack foods, or chewing gums on human oral microflora, plaque biofilm accumulation and acidity/glycolysis. I am an advocate and promoter of functional foods for oral health. Research by our team in this respect has gained both national and international reputation. Our studies on tea, honey, raisins, dried plums, cranberries, etc. have greatly contributed to the field of nutrition and functional foods that benefit oral health.

• Wu CD. 2009. Grape products and oral health. 2009. J Nutr 139(9):1818S-23S.
• Wu CD, Wei G. 2009. Tea as a functional food for oral health. In Food constituents and oral health: current status and future prospect (Wilson M, Ed) 396-417.
• Rivero-Cruz JF, Zhu M, Kinghorn AD, Wu CD. 2008. Antimicrobial constituents in Thompson seedless raisins (Vitis vinifera) against selected oral pathogens. Phytochemistry Letters 1(3):151-154.
• Xie Q, Bedran-Russo AK, CD Wu. 2008. In vitro Remineralization effects of grape seed extract on artificial root caries. J Dent 36(11):900-6.
• Nudera WJ, Fayad MI, Johnson BR, Zhu M, Wenckus CS, Begole EA, Wu CD. 2007. Antimicrobial effect of triclosan and triclosan with Gantrez on five common endodontic pathogens. J Endodontics 33(10):1239-42.
• Wu CD. 2006. Tea and Oral Health. In Protective effects of tea on human health (Jain NK, Siddiqi MA, Weisburger JH, Eds): 200-206.
• Rafter ME, Pesun IJ, Herren M, Linfante JC, Mina M, Wu CD, Casada JP. 2006. A preliminary survey of interprofessional education. J Dent Educ 70(4):417-27.
• Al-Musallam TA, Evans CA, Drummond JL, Matasa C, Wu CD. 2006. Antimicrobial properties of an orthodontic adhesive combined with cetylpyridinium chloride. Amer J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 129:245-251.
• Roberts SK, Zhu M, Wu CD. 2004. An in situ analysis of anaerobic multi-species biofilm formation by oral bacteria. J Dent Res 83(10):802-806.