Page 76 - AWSAR 2.0

52 || AWSAR Awarded Popular Science Stories - 2019
survive in acidic conditions. Low pH stimulates the expression of GTFs. Now, GTFs bind with sucrose present in the food and synthesizes glucans.
In the long run, glucans and lactic acid are very harmful. Glucans join together to form a biofilm (i.e. plaque). Once plaque hardens, it forms tartar, which affects our gums. The gums become red, swell and start to bleed. This condition is known as gingivitis. On the contrary, lactic acid starts to demineralize teeth and create holes in them, leading to dental caries or cavities.
Child: Holes in teeth! Wait,
Mom, I’ve heard about this.
Last summer, when I went to
Grandpa’s house, he had a
very bad toothache. Like how they show in Sensodyne toothpaste ads. He was not able to drink or eat properly. When he went to see a dentist, I also went! The dentist removed one tooth permanently. To the second tooth, he did some drilling and then closed the hole with
cement. A very, very long process. Grandpa went through so much pain! He was not even able to talk properly.
Mom: Yes baby, I know. Very painful and
costly procedures. In our lab, we are trying to develop an alternative approach to control dental plaques.
Child: Really? Tell me about it! Mom: Two enzymes, mutanase and dextranase, have the ability to cleave goofy glucans by breaking their bondage, and, thereby, destroy plaque. These enzymes can be added to mouthwashes, toothpaste and chewing gums. Right now, we are screening microorganisms for these enzymes in our lab. Look at this Fig., it’ll help you understand.
Child: Hehehehe. Crying and smiling teeth. I like chewing gum! Add enzymes to chewing gum.
Mom: Hmm! It’s not as easy as it looks. We’re facing a lot of hurdles without much outcome. Raw material glucans, that is the mutan and
Two enzymes, mutanase and dextranase, have the ability to cleave goofy glucans by breaking their bondage, and, thereby, destroy plaque. These enzymes can be added to mouthwashes, toothpaste and chewing gums. Right now, we are screening microorganisms for these enzymes in our lab.