New Enzyme Inhibits Plaque Formation on Teeth

Japanese researchers have brought to light very good news for the dental health.

After in vitro tests, it has been showed that the Streptococcus Salivaris bacterium inhibits the formation of plaque on the teeth.

The S. Salivaris is actually a bacterium which is harmless, and it can be detected in the human mouth.

The study has been published in the March issue of the Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

FruA, which is one of the enzymes produced by a fungus, is a plaque inhibiting enzyme, says Hidenobu Senpuku who is a corresponding author of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo.

The FruA produced by the S. Salivarius has actually inhibited the formation of S. mutans biofilm, when sucrose has been added in vitro tests.

The microbial pathogenicity in the oral cavity might actually be regulated with the help of FruA.

The enzyme can already be found in its commercial form as well, and this one too has proved just as beneficial as S. Salivarius FruA, and it inhibits the same well the S mutans biofilm formation.

There are many species of bacteria that inhabit the human microbial flora.

Most of these are beneficial and have an active role in protecting the oral health.