Figure 5
Combinatory use of fluoride augments the anti-demineralization effect of arginine against saliva-derived biofilm. (a) Representative Transverse Microradiography (TMR) images of human enamel discs exposed to 10-day biofilm-induced experimental demineralization. The high-density regions represent the sound enamel tissues, while the low-density shadows indicate the caries-like lesions. Lesion depth (b) and integrated mineral loss (c) were calculated. Data are presented as mean ± s.d. (n = 3; one-way ANOVA test followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test; different letters indicate significant inter-group differences, p < 0.05). Quantitative data of S. mutans (S. m)/S. sanguinis (S. s) ratio (d) and number (e) in the 24-hour human saliva-derived multispecies biofilm. Bacterial numbers were determined by qPCR. Data are presented as mean ± s.d. [n = 6; one-way ANOVA test followed by Student-Newman-Keuls test; different red letters (S. m number) and black letters (S. m/S. s ratio and S. s number) indicate significant inter-group differences, p < 0.05]. Arg = arginine; CFU = colony-forming unit.
