The toothpaste plays a key role in oral hygiene, but some of its ingredients could also disturb the good balance of the oral microbiome, according to researchers.
- This oral microbiome, made up of more than 700 bacterial species, protects gums and prevents diseases. The toothpaste plays a key role in oral hygiene, but its impact on this microbiome is often overlooked.
- If fluorine and some antibacterial agents help fight cavities, they could also disturb the microbial balance by affecting beneficial bacteria, according to researchers.
- Certain innovative toothpastes, integrating probiotics and targeted ingredients, could make it possible to preserve good bacteria. In the meantime, rigorous oral hygiene remains essential.
The brushing of teeth is an essential daily gesture to prevent cavities and keep a fresh breath. However, its impact on the oral microbiome, this complex ecosystem of bacteria present in our mouth, is often overlooked. What if our toothpastes were designed no longer to eliminate bacteria, but to “collaborate” with them? This is the question posed by a team of researchers from the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ireland, in an article published in The Conversation.
The action of toothpaste on the mouth bacteria
Our mouth is home to more than 700 species of bacteria, some beneficials, others potentially harmful. These microorganisms contribute to digestion, protect our gums and regulate the oral pH. When an imbalance occurs, often due to unsuitable diet or insufficient dental hygiene, pathogenic bacteria take over, causing cavities and gum disease.
The role of toothpaste is not limited to eliminating these bacteria. Its main action is to disrupt biofilm, this adherent film which allows microorganisms to proliferate. Mechanical brushing makes it possible to dislodge these accumulations, while the abrasive agents of toothpaste fragments them. Many toothpastes contain fluorine, recognized to strengthen enamel and limit the action of acidogenic bacteria responsible for cavities, as Streptococcus mutans. Other formulas incorporate antibacterial agents such as stanneous fluoride or zinc, aimed at reducing harmful populations.
Towards “pro-microbiome” toothpaste?
However, these substances can also affect beneficial bacteria, which raises questions about their global effect on the oral microbiome. “Some studies suggest that antibacterial agents reduce both harmful and beneficial bacteria, potentially modifying the microbiome in a way that we do not yet understand completely. Others indicate that the microbiome regenerates quickly after brushing, which makes any temporary disturbance”explain the researchers.
Scientists now explore if toothpasters could, in the future, adopt a more targeted approach, only eliminating harmful bacteria while preserving those that protect our oral health. Some solutions emerge, in particular those incorporating probiotics and prebiotics intended to strengthen the microbiome rather than to disturb it. Among the tracks explored: arginine, an amino acid which promotes the development of protective bacteria, or even antimicrobials of plant origin capable of targeting pathogenic biofilms without affecting good bacteria.
But these innovations are still at an early stage and additional research is necessary to validate its efficiency. While waiting for the arrival of toothpasters better suited to our microbiome, the best strategy remains to adopt a rigorous hygiene: brushing two to three times a day with a fluorinated toothpaste, moderate rinse and daily dental wire.
