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The amino acid ‘hack’ for fewer cavities
Think cavities aren’t a big deal? Think again.
As someone who had a bunch of cavities as a kid, I’m dealing with the consequences now. Some of my older fillings are breaking down, leading to the installation of a couple of crowns, the occasional root canal and, in one case, complete tooth loss. And this is even with being extra-rigorous about my dental care since reaching adulthood.
I only wish I’d known about a recently discovered “hack” that could bolster the protection offered by twice-daily brushing, once-daily flossing, and twice-yearly dental visits….
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It’s all in the arginine
It all starts with how caries, or cavities, form…
Our mouths are teaming with bacteria. And as these bacteria feed on sugars from the foods we eat, they produce acids that cause tooth decay.
Worse, the bacteria team up, forming plaque-like structures called biofilms that stick to our teeth, allowing them to ramp up acid production and go to work, causing cavities.
Previous research has shown that arginine (or L-arginine), an amino acid naturally present in saliva, can be used by beneficial bacteria to neutralize harmful acids by forming alkaline compounds. Lab experiments done outside of the human body also demonstrated arginine could alter the makeup of those nasty biofilms.
To see whether arginine’s anti-cavity actions could work in real mouths, researchers from Aarhus University in Denmark recruited 12 participants with active caries and prepared specialized dentures spanning both sides of the mouth to collect intact biofilms.
The participants were told to dip the dentures in a sugar solution for five minutes, immediately followed by either distilled water (the placebo) or arginine for 30 minutes, one on each side. They repeated this process three times a day, with arginine treatment done on the same side each time. After four days, when the biofilm was fully developed, the researchers removed the dentures for detailed analysis.
“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,” says study lead Sebastian Schlafer, a professor at Aarhus.
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Using a special pH-sensitive dye, the researchers analyzed the acidity of the collected biofilms in different locations. They discovered that biofilms treated with arginine showed a significantly higher pH (lower acidity) at 10 and 35 minutes after the sugar challenge.
“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,” says first author Yumi Del Rey, a postdoctoral candidate at Aarhus.
The team also analyzed the carbohydrate components of the biofilms, paying particular attention to fucose and galactose, which make up a large portion of dental biofilms and may contribute to the formation of acidic pockets inside them.
When treated with arginine, an overall reduction in fucose-based carbohydrates was observed, potentially making the biofilm less harmful. There was also a change in the structure of the biofilm, with galactose-containing carbohydrates decreasing at the bottom and increasing at the top.
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A reduction in harmful bacteria
When identifying which bacteria were present in the biofilm, the researchers found that those treated with arginine showed a significant reduction in the mitis/oralis group of streptococci, which produce acid but are not strong producers of alkali. The arginine-treated biofilm also slightly increased streptococci with considerable arginine metabolism, thereby improving the pH.
In short, the results indicated that arginine reduced the biofilms’ acidity, altered their carbohydrate structure, and reshaped their microbiome to include fewer dangerous bacteria.
These results indicate that supplementing toothpastes or oral rinses with arginine could help fight cavities in people who are more susceptible to them.
If you’re looking to add the arginine hack to your oral care regimen, I have good news. Some oral care brands (like Colgate) already include arginine in their products, particularly those used to treat tooth sensitivity. Take a close look at the labels to see if arginine is listed among the ingredients.
Don’t overdo your oral hygiene, though. Antiseptic mouthwashes sabotage arginine’s benefits by killing the good bacteria that help it work its magic.
It’s not yet clear if simply taking L-arginine supplements can make a difference in cavity prevention. But adding one to your daily regimen couldn’t hurt. In fact, it has benefits for circulation, brain and heart health.
Editor’s note: Do you know that poor gums and teeth are linked to the number one killer in America? Not to mention kidney disease… rheumatoid arthritis… Parkinson’s disease… depression… and so much more. Click here to discover America’s Hidden Dental Health Crisis: How to protect yourself and your family from this dangerous public health peril!
Sources:
A New Ally Against Tooth Decay: Arginine Offers Sweet Relief — EIN Newswires
A new ally against tooth decay: Arginine offers sweet relief — EurekAlert!
Arginine modulates the pH, microbial composition, and matrix architecture of biofilms from caries-active patients — International Journal of Oral Science
By Carolyn Gretton
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