Abstract
The aim was to investigate if honey causes erosion and if salivary pellicle modified with honey, or its components, or the by-product propolis has a protective effect against dental erosion and adhesion of early bacterial colonizers. The tested substances were: 3 types of honey, methylglyoxal (MGO), hydrogen peroxide, propolis. First in the erosion experiment, 120 human enamel specimens were covered with salivary pellicle and modified with the substances. Then they were eroded with 1% citric acid, pH 3.6 for 2 min, before surface hardness was measured. In the microbiological assay, the enamel specimens (n = 126) covered with modified salivary pellicle were contaminated with bacterial suspensions. The antimicrobial activity of each substance and their effect on early bacterial colonizer adhesion and biofilm formation were determined. Despite a low pH, honey did not cause erosion. On the other hand, pellicle modification with the tested solutions did not protect the enamel from erosion. Microbiologically, the 3 honeys inhibited species-specific growth of oral bacteria. Propolis decreased initial attachment of Streptococcus gordonii, while one honey inhibited demineralization of enamel by biofilm. In conclusion, pellicle modification with honey, or its components, or propolis did neither protect against erosion nor promote it. Propolis presented some bacterial adhesion inhibition.
Highlights
Both dental erosion and caries derive from a demineralization of the dental hard tissue, but these conditions have different aetiologies
Its antimicrobial activity is generally linked to several components, but mainly bee defensin, polyphenols or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the latter being a major biomarker for the antibacterial activity in several kinds of honey[18]
Its ingredients, and propolis have been thought as preventive agents against caries and gingivitis[28,29,30]
Summary
Both dental erosion and caries derive from a demineralization of the dental hard tissue, but these conditions have different aetiologies. Other potential candidates for modifying the pellicle are ingredients of natural products or plant extracts with polyphenolic contents[8]. Some kinds of honey do not have this H2O2 activity These so-called non-peroxide activity honeys have a high concentration of MGO, which is responsible for their antimicrobial activities[19]. These kinds of honey, for example the Manuka honey[17,20], have sparked much interest in research. Propolis is an interesting substance with antimicrobial effect[24] To honey, it is rich in phenolic compounds: flavonoid aglycones (flavones and flavanones), phenolic acids, and their esters. Propolis has been tested for cutaneous wound healing, as well as an antimicrobial agent in oral hygiene, such as in www.nature.com/scientificreports/
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