DIM’s ability to effectively reduce biofilms holds the potential to revolutionize dental hygiene practices.
A recent scientific discovery has unveiled the remarkable potential of DIM, a naturally occurring molecule, to combat dental plaque and cavities. DIM’s ability to significantly reduce biofilm formation by 90% has the potential to revolutionize dental hygiene practices and promote overall oral health. This advancement could particularly benefit individuals seeking a natural and effective approach to oral care.
Plaque and cavities are prevalent health concerns that affect a significant portion of the global population. While conventional oral hygiene practices, such as brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups, play a crucial role in prevention, there’s always room for improvement.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in collaboration with teams from Sichuan University and the National University of Singapore, have identified DIM as a promising solution for enhancing oral health. DIM, a molecule naturally found in cruciferous vegetables, effectively targets Streptococcus mutans, a primary culprit behind plaque formation and cavity development.
In their study, the researchers demonstrated that DIM effectively disrupts biofilms, the sticky bacterial communities that adhere to teeth, by 90%. This disruption prevents S. mutans from growing and producing harmful substances that lead to plaque and cavities.
The study’s findings, published in the journal Antibiotics, suggest that DIM has the potential to be incorporated into toothpastes and mouthwashes, offering a natural and effective approach to oral care. DIM’s low toxicity further supports its potential as a safe and readily available oral health supplement.
This breakthrough in natural oral health offers hope for individuals seeking a more sustainable and effective way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. DIM’s ability to significantly reduce plaque and cavities could revolutionize dental hygiene practices and empower individuals to take charge of their oral health.
Abstract
Indole, a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan, has been proven to act as a signal molecule in bacteria, acting in different aspects of biofilm formation. The oral biofilm is a type of biofilm that has consequences for human health. It is a complex, three-dimensional structure that develops on the surface of teeth via the attachment of primary microbial colonizers. Many oral infections are caused by an imbalance occurring in the microorganisms naturally found in oral biofilms and are considered major public health concerns. In this study, we test the effect of a natural bis-indole, 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), in mitigating the pathogenicity of the oral biofilm inhabiting bacterium Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium that is considered to be a principal etiological agent in dental caries. Our study found that DIM was able to attenuate S. mutans biofilm formation by 92%. Additionally, treatment with DIM lowered extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production and decreased its durability significantly under acidic conditions. Therefore, the anti-biofilm and anti-virulence properties of DIM against S. mutans bacteria in an “oral setting” provides evidence for its usefulness in reducing biofilm formation and potentially for caries attenuation.
