Scientists found a natural amino acid that helps teeth resist sugar damage – bringing an end to cavities.
A new clinical study suggests that a naturally occurring amino acid called arginine may help teeth better withstand the damage caused by sugar.
When we eat sugary foods, bacteria in dental plaque break the sugar down and release acids that erode tooth enamel, eventually leading to cavities.
Arginine, which is already present in saliva and in many dietary proteins, can be used by certain “helpful” oral bacteria to produce alkaline (less acidic) compounds. This makes the environment in dental plaque less acidic and more favorable for beneficial bacteria, while discouraging acid-producing species that drive tooth decay.
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