Intraoral electric potential <i>via</i> oral bacterial power generation —A novel mechanism of biofilm formation

Abstract

In the early stages of biofilm accumulation, the electric charge of the dental enamel and pellicle surfaces is known to be involved. We therefore investigated the relationship between oral hygiene and intraoral electric potential (IoP) in 45 male participants using a double-blind study. IoP, but not body surface electric potential, was loosely correlated with oral hygiene condition (Oral Hygiene Index; OHI). IoP was also loosely correlated with smartphone use; however, there was no significant correlation between smartphone use and OHI. IoP elevation might be caused by OHI elevation resulting from biofilm formation as an internal factor, with smartphone use as an external factor. This in vitro study revealed the generating capacity of Streptococcus mutans accompanied by biofilm accumulation using a microbial fuel cell. These results suggest that IoP elevation is caused by biofilm accumulation induced by power generation of oral bacteria, resulting in elevation of OHI.

Effects of magnetic fields from electric toothbrushes on fluoride- and oral bacteria-induced corrosion of orthodontic metallic wires

“…Apart from local pH changes, local cathode-anode reactions at the contact surfaces of metal and bacteria have been reported to be one of the causes of MIC 35) . Moreover, oral bacteria, such as S. mutans, mimic microbial fuel cells, resulting in power generation in the process of biofilm formation 36) . Further details about local pH and electric changes in the oral bacteria biofilm will be needed for future research.…”

“…The elution of each metallic component (Fe, Cr, and Ni) into the medium from SUS wires co-cultured with oral bacteria was measured, and the MIC of SUS wires with S. sanguinis was higher than that of SUS wires with S. mutans with/without MF exposure, and BHI medium (no bacteria) with MF exposure. S. mutans mimicked a microbial fuel cell, resulting in power generation during biofilm formation, which could change the local pH and electric charges 36) . These results indicate that MIC could be a result of internal electric changes caused by oral bacteria (such as power generation), but not of external electric changes (such as induced currents in wires with MF exposure).…”