Open Access

Alexander Rabe, Manuela Gesell Salazar, Stephan Michalik, Thomas Kocher, Harald Below, Uwe Völker, Alexander Welk

• Background Antiseptics are used to inhibit oral biofilm growth. However, they affect not only pathogenic but also commensal bacteria, which are a natural barrier against oral diseases. Objective Using a metaproteome approach combined with a standard plaque-regrowth study, this pilot study examined the impact of different concentrations of lactoperoxidase (LPO)-system containing lozenges on early plaque formation, and active biological processes. Design Sixteen orally healthy subjects received four local treatments as a randomized single-blind study based on a cross-over design. Two lozenges containing components of the LPO-system in different concentrations were compared to a placebo and Listerine®. The newly formed dental plaque was analyzed by mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS). Results On average 1,916 metaproteins per sample were identified, which could be assigned to 116 genera and 1,316 protein functions. Listerine® reduced the number of metaprotein groups and their relative abundance, confirming the plaque inhibiting effect. The LPO-lozenges triggered mainly higher metaprotein abundances of early and secondary colonizers as well as bacteria associated with dental health but also periodontitis. Functional information indicated plaque biofilm growth. Conclusion The effects of Listerine® and LPO-system containing lozenges used for plaque inhibition are different. In contrast to Listerine®, the lozenges allowed maintenance of a higher bacterial diversity.