In a bid to fight tooth decay, researchers have come up with new weapon in the form of a bacterium that produces an enzyme which inhibits the formation of plaque. This discovery could lead to the creation of a toothpaste that uses the body’s ability to fight plaque.

There are more than 700 species of bacteria in the mouth one of which is Streptococcus mutans, a key component of plaque. This bacteria forms layers called biotims on the teeth and it converts sugars to acids which eat up the enamel creating cavities in the process. There are other beneficial bacteria like Streptococcus salivarius found on the tongue and soft tissues of the mouth and it is known to fight the build up of S. mutans biofilms.