Impact of oral astringent stimuli on surface charge and morphology of the protein-rich pellicle at the tooth–saliva interphase

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ralf Zimmermann - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Judith Delius - , Technical University of Munich (Author)
  • Jens Friedrichs - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Susanne Stehl - , Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Thomas Hofmann - , Technical University of Munich, Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich (LSB) (Author)
  • Christian Hannig - , Department of Dental Maintenance (Author)
  • Melanie Rehage - , Saarland University (Author)
  • Carsten Werner - , Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Chair of Biofunctional Polymer Materials, Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden (Author)
  • Matthias Hannig - , Saarland University (Author)

Abstract

The proteinaceous pellicle layer, which develops upon contact with saliva on the surface of teeth, is important for the formation of oral biofilms and for the protection of teeth from abrasion and chemically induced erosion. Astringent food ingredients comprising polyphenols, cationic macromolecules, and multivalent metal salts are known to interact with the pellicle. However, astringent-induced changes in the physicochemical properties of the tooth-saliva interphase are not yet completely understood. Here we provide comprehensive insights into interfacial charging, ultrastructure, thickness, and surface roughness of the pellicles formed on the model substrates silicon oxide (SiO 2 ), Teflon ® AF, and hydroxyapatite, as well as on bovine enamel before and after incubation with the astringents epigallocatechin gallate, tannic acid, iron(III) salt, lysozyme, and chitosan. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring demonstrated viscous behavior of untreated pellicles formed in vitro on the different materials. Electrokinetic (streaming current) measurements revealed that cationic astringents reverse the charge of native pellicles, whereas polyphenols did not change the charge under physiological pH condition. In addition, transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed a concentration-dependent increase in average film thickness and pellicle surface roughness as induced by astringents. These multifaceted alterations of the salivary pellicle may come along with an increase in roughness perceived on the teeth, which is part of the complex sensations of oral astringency.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)451-458
Number of pages8
JournalColloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Volume174
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 30497006
ORCID /0000-0003-0189-3448/work/161890320

Keywords

Keywords

  • AFM, Electrokinetics, Oral astringents, Pellicle, QCM-D, Saliva