Tagatose attenuates streptococcus mutans-induced dental caries by modulating oral microbiota and inflammatory responses in mice

BACKGROUND: Dental caries is one of the most common chronic infectious oral diseases worldwide, leading to destruction of dental hard tissues and is associated with systemic diseases. Traditional caries prevention methods have limitations in terms of their applicability to specific populations or potential side effects. Therefore, exploring new, green, safe, and efficient caries prevention substances holds significant public health implications. METHODS: This study employed a mouse experimental caries model induced by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), combined with 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis of oral microbiota dynamics and detection of inflammatory factors to evaluate the anti-caries effects of tagatose. RESULTS: The results showed that tagatose intervention significantly reduced the severity of dental caries in mice in a dose-dependent manner. It inhibited cariogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus), promoted beneficial bacteria (Streptococcus), and regulated inflammatory factors (inhibiting pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-17, IL-6, and IFN-γ, and promoting anti-inflammatory factors such as IL-10 and IL-4), with lower concentrations showing better efficacy than xylitol. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, tagatose exhibits remarkable potential in the field of caries prevention, providing new scientific evidence and insights for the further development of natural anti-caries products based on tagatose.