Health and Me

Ishita Srivastava

This Natural Amino Acid In Your Mouth Can Prevent Tooth Decay And Cavities

While doctors across the world recommend ensuring that fluoride and other protective minerals make up your toothpaste, your body produces its very own amino acid that protect your entire dental cavity. 

<span>Arginine</span>, an amino acid that is already present in saliva, can turn bacteria from damaging to protective in your mouth, a <a href="https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260108/Arginine-can-modify-plaque-formation-on-teeth-and-protect-against-dental-caries.aspx" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">study </a> has found.

When sugars from food are broken down by the many bacteria living in the mouth, acids are produced that gradually damage tooth enamel and lead to <span>cavities</span>. This is known as dental caries. Over time, this acid dissolves tooth enamel and causes cavities. 

However, researchers at <span>Aarhus University</span> in Denmark have discovered that regular arginine treatment can significantly reduced the overall acidity levels in the mouth and prevent <span>tooth decay</span>. 

Yumi Del Rey, microbiologist at Aarhus, said: ""Our results revealed differences in acidity of the biofilms, with the ones treated with arginine being significantly more protected against acidification caused by sugar metabolism."

<h2>How Did The Study Take Place?</h2>The Danish scientists recruited 12 participants with active caries and prepared specialized dentures for the collection of intact biofilms, spanning both sides of the jaw. 

Volunteers were then asked to instructed to dip the dentures in a sugar solution for 5 minutes, immediately followed by distilled water (as placebo) or arginine for 30 minutes, one on each side. This was to be repeated three times a day, with arginine treatment done on the same side each time.

Sebastian Schlafer, professor at the <span>Department of Dentistry</span> and <span>Oral Health</span>, explained: "The aim was to investigate the impact of arginine treatment on the acidity, type of bacteria, and the carbohydrate matrix of biofilms from patients with active caries."

After 4 days of this process, the biofilms were developed and the dentures were removed for detailed analysis. The researchers compared dental plaques grown on customized dentures on both sides of each participant's mouth using a special pH-sensitive dye called C-SNARF-4.

<h2>How Does Arginine Work?</h2>Biofilms treated with arginine showed a significantly higher pH (lower acidity), altered biofilm structure and reduced harmful bacteria, highlighting the amino acid's potential in preventing dental caries.

Additionally, the team also began to look into how arginine might be reducing acidity, by taking stock of which bacteria and sugars were present in each sample.

Biofilms treated with arginine showed lower levels of a sugar called fucose, while another sugar, galactose, was concentrated towards the outer surface of the biofilm, meaning both sugars were away from the tooth enamel.

After analyzing the DNA of bacteria present, the researchers found that arginine treatment significantly reduced a specific population of Streptococcus bacteria known to produce acid, while slightly increasing other bacterial strains that can metabolize arginine. 

The scientists noted that while more research is needed into the arginine's effectiveness, the amino acid could be a promising new addition to oral hygiene products such as toothpaste or mouthwash. 

Health Conditions A-Z

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arginine

oral health

department of dentistry

aarhus university

dental health

tooth decay

cavities

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While doctors across the world recommend ensuring that fluoride and other protective minerals make up your toothpaste, your body produces its very own amino acid that protect your entire dental cavity. Arginine, an amino acid that is already present in saliva, can turn bacteria from damaging to protective in your mouth, a study  has found.When sugars from food are broken down by the many bacteria living in the mouth, acids are produced that gradually damage tooth enamel and lead to cavities. This is known as dental caries. Over time, this acid dissolves tooth enamel and causes cavities. However, researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark have discovered that regular arginine treatment can significantly reduced the overall acidity levels in the mouth and prevent tooth decay. Yumi Del Rey, microbiologist at Aarhus, said: ""Our results revealed differences in acidity of the biofilms, with the ones treated with arginine being significantly more protected against acidification caused by sugar metabolism."How Did The Study Take Place?The Danish scientists recruited 12 participants with active caries and prepared specialized dentures for the collection of intact biofilms, spanning both sides of the jaw. Volunteers were then asked to instructed to dip the dentures in a sugar solution for 5 minutes, immediately followed by distilled water (as placebo) or arginine for 30 minutes, one on each side. This was to be repeated three times a day, with arginine treatment done on the same side each time.Sebastian Schlafer, professor at the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, explained: "The aim was to investigate the impact of arginine treatment on the acidity, type of bacteria, and the carbohydrate matrix of biofilms from patients with active caries."After 4 days of this process, the biofilms were developed and the dentures were removed for detailed analysis. The researchers compared dental plaques grown on customized dentures on both sides of each participant's mouth using a special pH-sensitive dye called C-SNARF-4.How Does Arginine Work?Biofilms treated with arginine showed a significantly higher pH (lower acidity), altered biofilm structure and reduced harmful bacteria, highlighting the amino acid's potential in preventing dental caries.Additionally, the team also began to look into how arginine might be reducing acidity, by taking stock of which bacteria and sugars were present in each sample.Biofilms treated with arginine showed lower levels of a sugar called fucose, while another sugar, galactose, was concentrated towards the outer surface of the biofilm, meaning both sugars were away from the tooth enamel.After analyzing the DNA of bacteria present, the researchers found that arginine treatment significantly reduced a specific population of Streptococcus bacteria known to produce acid, while slightly increasing other bacterial strains that can metabolize arginine. The scientists noted that while more research is needed into the arginine's effectiveness, the amino acid could be a promising new addition to oral hygiene products such as toothpaste or mouthwash. 