Methods and compositions of preventing and treating dental caries
Provided herein are methods and compositions related to bacteria of genus Rothia useful as therapeutic agents for dental caries.
1. A method of preventing dental caries in a subject comprising increasing the pH of the oral cavity of a subject in need thereof,
wherein increasing the pH of the oral cavity of the subject comprises administering to the oral cavity of the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a bacterial composition comprising a bacterium of species Rothia denticariosa , a bacterium of species Rothia aeria , or a combination thereof.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacterial composition prevents dental caries by inhibiting acid production by a cariogenic bacterium.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacterial composition does not inhibit growth of a cariogenic bacterium.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cariogenic bacterium is a bacterium of species Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus infantis, Streptococcus sanguinis SK36, or Streptococcus sobrinus.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the bacterium of species Streptococcus mutans is a bacterium of strain ATCC UA140 or ATCC UA159.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cariogenic bacterium is a bacterium of genus Lactobacillus.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the bacterium of genus Lactobacillus is a bacterium of species Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus salivarius.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is at risk of developing dental caries.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of the bacteria in the bacterial composition are bacteria of species Rothia denticariosa, Rothia aeria , or a combination thereof.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of the bacteria in the bacterial composition are bacteria of species Rothia denticariosa, Rothia aeria , or a combination thereof.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein substantially all of the bacteria in the bacterial composition are bacteria of species Rothia denticariosa, Rothia aeria , or a combination thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacterial composition comprises at least 1×10 6 colony forming units (CFUs) of bacteria of species Rothia denticariosa, Rothia aeria , or a combination thereof.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bacterial composition is administered orally.