title: Reduced adhesion of oral bacteria on hydroxyapatite by fluoride treatment.
abstract: The mechanisms of action of fluoride have been discussed controversially for decades. The cavity-preventive effect for teeth is often traced back to effects on demineralization. However, an effect on bacterial adhesion was indicated by indirect macroscopic studies. To characterize adhesion on fluoridated samples on a single bacterial level, we used force spectroscopy with bacterial probes to measure adhesion forces directly. We tested the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans , Streptococcus oralis , and Staphylococcus carnosus on smooth, high-density hydroxyapatite surfaces, pristine and after treatment with fluoride solution. All bacteria species exhibit lower adhesion forces after fluoride treatment of the surfaces. These findings suggest that the decrease of adhesion properties is a further key factor for the cariostatic effect of fluoride besides the decrease of demineralization.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Physics, Saarland University, 66041 Saarbrücken, Germany.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loskill
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zeitz
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grandthyll
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thewes
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bischoff
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D017886:Durapatite / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D017886:Durapatite; D005459:Fluorides