A potential bacteria called A12 fights against a bad kind of streptococcal bacteria that metabolizes sugar into lactic acid, contributing to tooth decay.
A new strain of bacteria that helps fight bad bacteria and prevent dental cavities has been identified by a team of US researchers. According to researchers, the findings could lead to the development of a supplement that patients could take orally to prevent cavities.
‘A bacterial strain called ‘A12’ was found to have all the properties that could prevent cavities in a probiotic application.
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"A12" bacteria has a potent ability to battle a particularly harmful kind of streptococcal bacteria, which metabolizes sugar into lactic acid, contributing to acidic conditions in the mouth that form cavities. The researchers found that A12 not only helps neutralize acid by metabolizing arginine in the mouth, it also often kills Streptococcus mutans.
"To maintain a healthy mouth, the oral environment must have a relatively neutral chemical make-up, or a neutral pH. When the environment in the mouth becomes more acidic, dental cavities or other disorders can develop," said Robert Burne from the University of Florida's college of dentistry.
"At that point, bacteria on the teeth make acid and acid dissolves the teeth. It's straightforward chemistry," Burne added in the paper published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
For the study, researchers collected plaque samples, isolating more than 2,000 bacteria and then screened them to find bacteria that fit the bill.
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The results showed that out of these, "A12" stood out for having all of the properties in a bacteria strain that could prevent cavities in a probiotic application.
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Source-IANS