Most of us know that eating a healthy diet – one that does not include too many sugary foods and drinks – can help to prevent cavities. But now, researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Newcastle University have discovered that an amino acid that naturally occurs in foods could actually help to break down dental plaque.
The amino acid is called arginine, and it can be found in foods such as dairy products, poultry, fish and red meat. L-arginine is already commonly used in dental products to treat tooth sensitivity.
Right now, the vast majority of methods involved in controlling dental plaque utilize antimicrobial agents. But many dental professionals and researchers believe that antimicrobial agents have been overused in recent years. While they do effectively eliminate plaque bacteria, they can also stain teeth and impact a person’s ability to taste food and drinks.
Although more clinical trials are still needed, researchers now believe that L-arginine could replace antimicrobials in fighting plaque. This is great news considering that plaque can lead to gum disease, and an estimated 10 to 15 percent of adults now suffer from an extreme form of this condition.
Advanced gum disease, or periodontitis, has been associated with not only tooth loss, but also other conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Hopefully, the development of this amino acid as a plaque-fighting agent will greatly improve the dental health of countless people in the years to come.
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Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/uom-noa050715.php
