Effects of combined exogenous dextranase and sodium fluoride on Streptococcus mutans 25175 monospecies biofilms

Purpose: To investigate the effects of exogenous dextranase and sodium fluoride on a S. mutans monospecies biofilm Methods: S. mutans 25175 was grown in tryptone soya broth medium, and biofilm was formed on glass slides with 1.0% sucrose. Exogenous dextranase and sodium fluoride were added alone or together. The biofilm morphology was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The effects of the drug on the adhesion and exopolysaccharide production by the biofilms were evaluated by scintillation counting and the anthrone method, respectively. Results: In this study, we found that the structure of initial biofilm and mature biofilm were partly altered by dextranase and high concentrations of sodium fluoride separately. However, dextranase combined with a low concentration of sodium fluoride could clearly destroy the typical tree-like structure of the biofilm, and led to less bacterial adhesion than when the dextranase or fluoride were used alone (P< 0.05). The amounts of soluble and insoluble exopolysaccharide were significantly reduced by combining dextranase with a low concentration of sodium fluoride, much more than when they were used alone (P< 0.05). These data indicate that dextranase and a low concentration of sodium fluoride may have synergistic effects against S. mutans biofilm and suggest the application of a low concentration of sodium fluoride in anticaries treatment.