Designing a preventative treatment for Streptococcus mutans induced dental caries

Dental caries are a primary oral health concern, affecting 90% of adults worldwide. Invasive treatments such as dental fillings and root canal therapies stop the degrading effects of caries and accelerate the remineralization process. Although current solutions are effective, they can be painful and expensive for patients. Additionally, these treatments are temporary and may require repetitive maintenance. Streptococcus mutans, a naturally occurring bacterial strain in the human oral cavity, is a principal pathogenic agent of caries and tooth decay. Saliva acidity and accumulation of food debris create an ideal environment for S. mutans proliferation. The bacterium becomes part of a biofilm on the surface of teeth, catalyzing plaque production. Studies demonstrate inhibition of the virulence and proliferation of S. mutans by Streptococcus salivarius A12. Researchers are exploring the possibility of using this bacteria to combat dental caries. Inspired by these findings, our project aims to forestall dental caries by using Streptococcus salivarius M18, another bacterial strain in the oral cavity that produces two enzymes, urease and dextranase. These enzymes break down dental plaque and decrease saliva acidity. M18 effectively minimizes tooth enamel erosion and impedes dental caries formation by disrupting biofilm formation and reducing salivary pH. We will transform the genes ureA-C and dex, encoding enzymes urease and dextranase, into an early enamel colonizer, Rothia aeria, to suppress caries. Our product will be a Rothia aeria paste applied after dental prophylaxis to forestall dental caries formation. This research demonstrates a biosynthetic method that improves current dental treatments and designs a biocompatible product for oral hygiene.