Blue Light Enhances Fluoride Anticariogenic Activity against Streptococcus mutans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that sub-lethal exposure of blue light caused increased bacterial cell membrane permeability. We hypothesized that combining blue light exposure with other antibacterial agents may increase their efficacy. The aim of the present study was to test the combined effect of blue light and sodium fluoride against dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans. Sm biofilms were exposed to blue light (400–500 nm) with or without sodium fluoride. Exposed and non-exposed samples were studied for acid production (lactate assay kit), acid tolerance (ATPase assay kit) and bacterial cell membrane damage (fluorescence microscopy). Results showed that the combined treatment significantly reduced the virulence of Sm concomitant with an increase in bacterial cell membrane permeability. Taken together, these results suggest that adjacent blue light exposure may increase fluoride caries preventive properties.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)168-173
Number of pages6
JournalBiophysica
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2022

Keywords

  • Streptococcus mutans
  • blue light
  • sodium fluoride

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (miscellaneous)

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