Next-Generation Sequencing for Determining the Effect of Arginine on Human Dental Biofilms Using an In Situ Model

Oral biofilms are associated with caries, periodontal diseases, and systemic diseases. Generally, antimicrobial therapy is used as the first line of treatment for infectious diseases; however, bacteria in biofilms eventually develop antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to apply our in situ biofilm model to verify whether an arginine preparation is useful for plaque control. Ten healthy subjects who did not show signs of caries, gingivitis, or periodontitis were recruited. The dental biofilms from the subjects were obtained using our oral device before and after gargling with arginine solution for 4 weeks. We found that 8% arginine solution significantly increased the concentration of ammonium ions (NH4+) in vitro and in vivo in saliva (p < 0.05) and decreased the proportions of the genera Atopobium and Catonella in vivo. However, the viable count was unaffected by the mouthwash. Further, oral populations of the genera Streptococcus and Neisseria tended to increase with the use of arginine. Therefore, we concluded that using an 8% arginine solution decreased the NH4+ concentration in the oral cavity without affecting the number of viable bacteria, and that the diversity of oral bacterial flora changed. We suggest that arginine might help prevent mature biofilm formation.