Take a pill to prevent decay?
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- Published: Monday, 25 April 2016 07:47
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Dealing with cavities could one day be as simple as taking a supplement to keep unwanted bacteria in check, according to findings published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Researchers at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, led by Dr Robert Burne, have a new strain of bacteria that could keep ‘bad’ bacteria under control, and pave the way to using probiotics to prevent cavities.
Previous research by the same authors has found that two main compounds are broken down into ammonia, and this helps to neutralize acid in the mouth, urea and arginine, an amino acid. The researchers already knew that people who had few or no cavities were better at breaking down arginine than those with cavities. They knew that bacteria were responsible for breaking down these compounds, but did not know which bacteria do this best, or how this activity prevents cavities. Part of the answer is a previously unidentified strain of Streptococcus, currently called A12.
Burne explained that, just as we might use a probiotic approach to the gut to promote health, a similar strategy could be effective for the mouth. He said: "You would implant this probiotic in a healthy child or adult who might be at risk for developing cavities. However many times you have to do that, once in a lifetime or once a week, the idea is that you could prevent a decline in oral health by populating the patient with natural beneficial organisms."
The authors also found that A12 often kills Streptococcus mutans, often associated with dental decay. Burne points out that growing A12 and S. mutans together reduced the ability of the bacterium to develop properly or to make biofilms, also known as dental plaque. The researchers hope to carry out a larger study to find more instances of A12, and to test how prevalent bacteria with similar properties are in the human mouth. While the development of an effective oral probiotic is still a long way off, A12 looks a promising candidate. Information from Medical News Today.
Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association's scientific adviser, was sceptical, he said: "Trying to stop the process of dental decay by engineering new bacteria is an interesting avenue to explore but what this will mean in the long-term is still unclear."
Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, said: "In time, as more probiotics are developed and prices reduce, these may offer an exciting additional means of helping to combat dental caries and gum disease, particularly in individuals more prone to these conditions. In the meantime, making sure you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is the best way to prevent oral health problems."
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