Oral Bacteria May Stop Dental Plaque

What is Plaque?
Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and sugars that constantly forms on our teeth. It is the main cause of cavities and gum disease, and can harden into tartar if not removed daily.
Your gums and teeth are directly connected to the blood stream, therefore, they are your first line of defense against disease and should be treated with the care they deserve. Poor dental health has be linked to heart disease, stroke, gum disease and even premature births, according to recent research.

Dental plaque is difficult to see unless it's stained. You can stain plaque by chewing red "disclosing tablets," found at grocery stores and drug stores, or by using a cotton swab to smear green food coloring on your teeth. The red or green color left on the teeth will show you where there is still plaque—and where you have to brush again to remove it.
Stain and examine your teeth regularly to make sure you are removing all plaque.


How Do I Know if I Have Plaque?
Everyone develops plaque because bacteria are constantly forming in our mouths. These bacteria use ingredients found in our diet and saliva to grow. Plaque causes cavities when the acids from plaque attack teeth after eating. With repeated acid attacks, the tooth enamel can break down and a cavity may form. Plaque that is not removed can also irritate the gums around your teeth, leading to gingivitis (red, swollen, bleeding gums), periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Ask your dentist or dental hygienist if your plaque removal techniques are okay.

Step One: Floss
Use floss to remove germs and food particles between teeth. Rinse.

Step Two: Brush Teeth
Use any tooth brushing method that is comfortable, but do not scrub hard back and forth. Small circular motions and short back and forth motions work well. Rinse.

To prevent decay, it's what's on the toothbrush that counts. Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is what protects teeth from decay.

Brush the tongue for a fresh feeling! Rinse again.
Remember: food residues, especially sweets, provide nutrients for the germs that cause tooth decay, as well as those that cause gum disease. That's why it is important to remove all food residues, as well as plaque, from teeth. Remove plaque at least once a day — twice a day is better. If you brush and floss once daily, do it before going to bed. 

How Can I Prevent Plaque Buildup?
It's easy to prevent plaque buildup with proper care. Make sure to:

•     Brush thoroughly at least twice a day to remove plaque from all surfaces of your teeth
•     Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline, where your toothbrush may not reach
•     Limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks
•     Schedule regular dental visits for professional cleanings and dental examinations.

 Oral health experts are suggesting that an enzyme produced by mouth bacterium inhibits dental plaque.

The finding could eventually lead to the development of toothpaste that harnesses the body's own plaque-fighting tools.

The team of scientist from Japan show that the bacterium, Streptococcus salivarius, a non-biofilm forming and otherwise harmless inhabitant of the human mouth, actually inhibits the formation of dental biofilms – or plaque.

The bacteria produces two enzymes that are responsible for this inhibition.

The research is published in the March 2011 issue of the journal Applied and Environmental.

Author, Hidenobu Senpuku, of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Tokyo, says of one of the enzymes: ‘FruA may be useful for prevention of dental caries. The activity of the inhibitors was elevated in the presence of sucrose, and the inhibitory effects were dependent on the sucrose concentration in the biofilm formation assay medium.

‘We show that FruA, produced by S. salivarius inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation completely in the in vitro assay supplemented with sucrose.'

S. salivarius is the primary species of bacteria inhabiting the mouth, according to the report.

The authors suggest that FruA may actually regulate microbial pathogenicity in the oral cavity.

They found that a commercial FruA, produced by Aspergillus niger, was as effective as S. salivarius FruA at inhibiting S. mutans biofilm formation, despite the fact that its amino acid composition is somewhat different from that of S. salivarius.

FruA is produced not only by S. salivarius, but by other oral streptococci.