For adhering to the enamel plaque bacteria need a special substance. Would this off, could make no more plaque, researchers hope.

On the palate, called plaque bacteria adhere to the tooth enamel, then this creates plaque. Dutch researchers have now clarified how bacteria accomplish this attachment. This also allows possible starting point is found to the formation of harmful deposits and thus to prevent future tooth decay.

When docking at the tooth enamel, the bacteria count on a certain substance. If this off, could make the plaque bacteria is not wide on the teeth. Still, the researchers must overcome a hurdle, however: some of the substance required by the bacteria is chemically just as composed as a digestive enzyme in the human saliva. This enzyme is important in the decomposition of starch. If the auxiliary off the plaque bacteria, while the strength degradation would be blocked. Therefore, the scientists are looking for a way to only inhibit the important substance for the bacteria.