Inhibition of dental plaque acid production by the salivary lactoperoxidase antimicrobial system.

Resting human whole saliva inhibited acid production by glucose-stimulated, homologous plaque. The degree of inhibition of plaque acid production correlated positively with the concentration of hypothiocyanite (OSCN-) ions in saliva. Supplementation of saliva with an appropriate combination of thiocyanate and hydrogen peroxide resulted in a significant increase in the concentration of OSCN- ions and in more effective inhibition of plaque acid production. In most cases, the inhibition was complete when the supplements were added directly to saliva-plaque mixtures. Acid production resumed when the inhibitory effect of OSCN- was reversed by addition of thiols. Among the oral defense factors, the salivary lactoperoxidase system seems to play an important role by producing highly reactive antibacterial products (including OSCN-) which can regulate bacterial metabolism in the human mouth. The concentration of OSCN- in normal human whole saliva seems to be just below the threshold level required for plaque inhibition. Therefore, enhancement of this system in vivo may be effective in the regulation of plaque acid production.