Did you know that there’s such a thing as ‘healthy plaque’? It’s a biofilm that’s always present on our teeth, acting as a protective covering. The problem arises when we consume sugary foods or carbonated drinks and when the bacteria in the dental plaque starts metabolizing these sugars to produce acid in our mouth. When this happens the teeth enamel gets weakened and becomes more vulnerable to bacterial damage such as dental caries or tooth decay. Dental caries affects nearly 2 billion people globally and 514 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth.[17]
From demineralization to remineralization: How arginine can reverse tooth decay
To protect the tooth from loss of minerals (a process called demineralization), the body has a natural fallback solution in a process known as remineralization. Here, the calcium and phosphate ions present in our saliva start getting deposited back onto the tooth surface which had undergone demineralization earlier. This cycle of demineralization-remineralization, or alternately calcium loss and calcium gain is a continuous one and helps us maintain structure of the tooth. However, if the balance tips and there is more loss than gain i.e. structure loss of the tooth, then we are headed into an area of decaying enamel or as many of us know, cavities. Cavities is something only a dentist can repair.
How then do we reverse tooth decay? As explained earlier, there’s the body’s natural way of doing it. But here’s an unexpected bonus - recent studies have uncovered the additional benefits of arginine for oral health. [18] This common amino acid is in fact naturally found in our saliva and plays a key role in helping to elevate the mouth’s pH balance.
Arginine toothpaste: The cutting-edge advancement in oral care
Clinical trials have shown that toothpastes containing arginine are more effective than the control toothpaste at preventing tooth decay, slowing the progression of caries in kids who were at low and moderate risk, as well as halting and reversing dental carious lesions in both kids and adults. [19]
Thus, when combined with calcium, arginine effectively reduces tooth decay by promoting overall tooth nourishment, since it works synergistically with fluoride to remineralize and strengthen tooth enamel and
[15]In-situ clinical effects of new dentifrices containing arginine
[16] The combined antimicrobial effect of arginine and fluoride toothpaste
[17] WHO: Oral Health – Key Facts
[19] The combined antimicrobial effect of arginine and fluoride toothpaste
structure. It is also known to counteract the effects of acid attacks from bacteria in dental plaque and improve the pH balance in the mouth.
Strong teeth are the foundation of a radiant smile. Nourishing your pearly whites involves not only eating well, but also following an oral care regimen that promotes optimal oral health by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria, neutralizing mouth acidity, and remineralizing tooth enamel. Toothpastes containing arginine can deliver this vital amino acid directly to your teeth and gums for maximum impact. Embrace the cutting-edge advancements in oral care technology to safeguard and nourish your oral health today.
