Adding enzymes from seaweed microbes to
toothpaste and mouthwash could provide better protection against tooth decay, a
team of UK scientists have said.
Researchers at Newcastle University had been
studying Bacillus licheniformis to see if it could clean ships' hulls.
But the scientists now believe it could
protect the areas between teeth where plaque can gather despite brushing.
Their lab tests suggest the microbe's enzyme
cuts through plaque, stripping it of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Dr Nick Jakubovics, of the university's school
of dental sciences, said: "Plaque on your teeth is made up of bacteria
which join together to colonize an area in a bid to push out any potential
competitors.
"Traditional toothpastes work by
scrubbing off the plaque containing the bacteria - but that's not always
effective - which is why people who religiously clean their teeth can still
develop cavities.
"We found this enzyme can remove some of
these undesirable bacteria from plaque."
Plaque is made up of lots of different
decaying bacteria.
When bacterial cells die, the DNA inside them
leaks out and makes a biofilm that sticks to the teeth.
Instead of removing the plaque entirely, Dr
Jakubovics believes the treatment could strip away the harmful bacteria, like
Streptococcus mutans, that cause tooth decay.
"Ultimately we hope to harness this power
into a paste, mouthwash or denture-cleaning solution."
He said more studies are needed to show the
technique works and is safe before any products could be brought to market.
He is presenting the latest findings to a
meeting of the Society for Applied Microbiology, the organization that is
funding the research along with the Newcastle Healthcare Charity.
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