The finding, published in the journal Nature Communications, has announced that the bacterium Selenomonas sputigenaformerly associated with the gum diseasecan affect the causative power of S. Mutans cariesthe bacterium that scientists have traditionally believed to be the root cause of dental caries, which forms plaque and produces acid. The data are an advance in the face of the complicated microbial interactions within the oral environment and challenge previous knowledge about the causes of dental caries. According to the data, although the S.Sputigena does not cause cavities by itselfhas been shown to have a unique ability to collaborate with the S. mutans, which aggravates the caries process. The study finds that S. Sputigena cells form a honeycomb-like structure that encapsulates S. mutans to greatly increase and concentrate the acid production that stimulates the development and severity of caries.

Aggravate the caries process

In addition, according to the dentist Iván Malagón, “this data is curious, because until now all the investigations and publications related to caries associated its cause with some type of single bacterium to cause that generation of acid that causes the wear of the enamel surface and that colonizes, for later, logically, when food remains accumulate in that area, feed, scontinue to cause acid and deepen the cavity”. To give these results, plaque samples from more than 400 children between 3 and 5 yearss. His results reflect an unexpected relationship between the two bacterial species, highlighting the need for a more complete understanding of dental caries development and its prevention.

A finding that can be an advance, not only at the dental level

As experts in the sector indicate, the data may be a breakthrough that goes beyond dentistry: “Until now, cavities have been caused by individual bacteria. This study talks about associations of bacteria, which, if confirmed, is very striking, but at a general level of any infection. Until now, bacteria acted individually and it seems that they can associate for the same purpose: in this case to cause more acid and further demineralize the enamel surface” details Malagón In the future, the researchers plan to investigate further how S. Sputigena, an anaerobic bacterium, ends up in the oxygen-rich environment of the tooth surface. “This study is something very new, because the bacterium we are talking about is not capable of causing caries by itself, but associated with S. Mutans it is even more harmful. It is a fact to take into account” concludes Dr. Malagón.