First came the news that hair toothpaste could help to reverse some early signs of enamel degeneration (even more so than already-impressive fluoride).

And now, researchers have discovered that amino acid arginine, which is naturally found in our saliva, is also key to preventing tooth decay with the help of healthy mouth bacteria.

Researchers had previously seen that arginine changed the biofilm, or the sticky layer of bacteria that’s been linked to decay, in in vitro dental studies. These can include extracted teeth, dental models, and other simulations of the mouth.

But a new paper, published in the

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