Tooth Decay may soon become thing of the past

Researchers at Groningen University in The Netherlands have identified and deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme responsible for dental plaque sticking to your teeth.

Professors Bauke Dijkstra and Lubbert Dijkhuizen analyzed glucansucrase from the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri, which is present in our mouths and digestive tracts. The bacteria use the glucansucrase enzyme to convert sugars into long, sticky sugar chains. They use this glue to attach themselves to tooth enamel. The main cause of tooth decay, the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, also uses this enzyme. Once attached to your teeth, these bacteria ferment the sugars, releasing acids that dissolve the calcium in teeth and starts to form caries.

The data published by the Groningen scientists shows that glucansucrase proteins most likely evolved from amylase enzymes that degrade starch. "We already knew that the two enzymes were similar", says Dijkhuizen, "but the crystal structure revealed that the active sites are virtually identical. Future inhibitors thus need to be directed towards very specific targets because both enzymes are evolutionary closely related."

Dijkhuizen points out that in future glucansucrase inhibitors may be added to toothpaste and mouthwash. "But it may even be possible to add them to sweets", he suggests. "An inhibitor might prevent that sugars released in the mouth cause damage." However, Dijkhuizen doesn't expect that toothbrushes have had their day: "it will always be necessary to clean your teeth."