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Fluoride has been used for the purpose of dental health for years. It is known to prevent tooth decay and strengthen the enamel. It’s also commonly used in dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. The oral cavity is home to a complex and diverse microbiome that plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health. Recent research has begun to explore how fluoride, beyond its well-known benefits, influences the composition and function of this oral microbiome.
What we know:
Fluoride inhibits demineralisation, promotes tooth remineralisation, and inhibits the growth of plaque bacteria (Nassar et al., 2023).
Fluoride has been found to inhibit the growth of acid-producing bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, which are primarily responsible for tooth decay (Son et al., 2020).
Fluoride also inhibits the growth of a variety of oral microorganisms, such as Streptococcus sialis, Lactobacillus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus sanguis, and Candida albicans (Yang et al., 2023).
Fluoride restricts various enzymes involved in bacterial metabolism, particularly those in glycolysis. By preventing enzymes like enolase, fluoride disrupts the energy production pathways of bacteria, making it difficult for them to thrive in the oral environment (Moran et al., 2023).
Fluoride selectively targets cariogenic bacteria without completely eradicating the entire bacterial community. This selective action helps maintain a balance within the oral microbiome, reducing the risk of dental caries while preserving beneficial bacteria (Han., 2021).
Fluoride can influence the formation and composition of dental biofilms, by disrupting the biofilm architecture, making it less likely for the growth of pathogenic bacteria (Han., 2021).
Industry impact & potential:
Although some studies have been carried out on the impact of fluoride on the oral microbiome, there is a need for large population-based studies to assess the impact of fluorides on the oral microbiome in children and adults (Moran et al., 2023).
Fluoride exposure has a beneficial effect on the oral microbiome, however the long-term consequences of this require further study (Moran et al., 2023).
The potential development of fluoride-resistant bacteria highlights the need for alternative or complementary treatments. Research into probiotics or other antimicrobial agents that work with fluoride could provide new avenues for maintaining oral health.
Our solution:
Through advanced in vivo testing and profiling, we aim to understand the oral microbiome and enhance oral health by targeting the root causes of dental caries while maintaining a balanced and healthy oral microbiome.
Reference:
Han Y. Effects of brief sodium fluoride treatments on the growth of early and mature
cariogenic biofilms. Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 14;11(1):18290. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97905-0. PMID: 34521969; PMCID: PMC8440647.
Moran GP, Zgaga L, Daly B, Harding M, Montgomery T. Does fluoride exposure impact on the
human microbiome? Toxicol Lett. 2023 Apr 15;379:11-19. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.03.001. Epub 2023 Mar 4. PMID: 36871794.
Nassar Y, Brizuela M. The Role of Fluoride on Caries Prevention. 2023 Mar 19. In:
StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 36508516.
Son JL, Kim AJ, Oh S, Bae JM. Inhibitory effects on Streptococcus mutans of antibacterial
agents mixed with experimental fluoride varnish. Dent Mater J. 2020 Aug 2;39(4):690-695. doi: 10.4012/dmj.2020-016. Epub 2020 Jun 9. PMID: 32522914.
Yang Z, Cai T, Li Y, Jiang D, Luo J, Zhou Z. Effects of topical fluoride application on oral
microbiota in young children with severe dental caries. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023 Mar 7;13:1104343. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1104343. PMID: 36960045; PMCID: PMC10028198.
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