4 ms·

The lifetime tooth decay vaccine is now available (in Honduras)

59 points by mouse_ 3y ago

SoullessSilent 3y ago
This might be fun. Offer to kiss people so the bacteria can transfer. Requires at least X minutes to be effective.
mouse_ 3y ago
From the article: On a different line of research, Jeffrey Hillman from the University of Florida[6] developed a genetically modified strain of Streptococcus mutans called BCS3-L1, that is incapable of producing lactic acid – the acid that dissolves tooth enamel – and aggressively replaces native flora. In laboratory tests, rats who were given BCS3-L1 were conferred with a lifetime of protection against S. mutans.[7] BCS3-L1 colonizes the mouth and produces a small amount of a lantibiotic, called MU1140,[7] which allows it to out-compete S. mutans.[8] Hillman suggested that treatment with BCS3-L1 in humans could also provide a lifetime of protection, or, at worst, require occasional re-applications. He stated that the treatment would be available in dentists' offices and "will probably cost less than $100."[9] The product was being developed by Oragenics, but was shelved in 2014, citing regulatory concerns and patent issues.[10] In 2016, Oragenics received a 17-year patent for the product.[11] In 2023, the startup Lumina Probiotic began offering BCS3-L1 application in Próspera, Honduras.
- wwilim 3y ago
  That sounds like a two for one deal - your partner doesn't need to pay for the treatment, you just share a passionate kiss and now they too have the improved bacteria
- penjelly 3y ago
  super interesting but seems risky
- janalsncm 3y ago
  > The product was being developed by Oragenics, but was shelved in 2014, citing regulatory concerns and patent issues I would be curious what the regulatory issues were. If it was unsafe or not tested enough that would be important to know. Patent issues don’t say anything about safety to the end user and blocking such a helpful treatment on IP grounds is borderline immoral.
2cynykyl 3y ago
There is absolutely no way a dentist is going to apply a treatment that is essentially certain to put them out of business. This is a crazy as a software engineer developing a tool that writes code...oh wait.
- peddling-brink 3y ago
  They’ll still have the anti vaxxers.
- entropicgravity 3y ago
  And it's not for the first time. This BBC article shows how best to keep plaque away from your teeth but no dentist or hygienist will mention it to you because, well you know why. People, mostly elderly, are literally dying because this knowledge is not being disseminated widely. Spread the word. (The first article about this technique appeared in BBC circa 1995.) [1] [1]https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220718-the-best-way-to-brush-your-teeth https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220718-the-best-way-to-...
  - boneghost 3y ago
    > no dentist or hygienist will mention it to you because, well you know why. Every single dentist I've been to has told me this method. Maybe it's a regional thing?
    - gostintheshell 3y ago
      The only drill and fill dentist I ever encountered had a great location for temporary residents and wasn't recommended to me by anyone.. I think most dentists work on lifetime value and prefer to give the advice in the article to anyone who seems open to advice.
  - beojan 3y ago
    That technique is something you get pretty much automatically if you use an electric toothbrush.
deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
more_corn 3y ago
I’ve heard it suggested that removing this bacteria could make room in the ecosystem for bacteria that are even more problematic. Of course I heard that from a dentist five seconds after he heard about the idea so take that for what it’s worth.
- mouse_ 3y ago
  This treatment does not remove any bacteria, it replaces it with the same bacteria with the exception that it does not drill holes in your enamel.
ChrisArchitect 3y ago
Instead of this mostly general wiki article, link to the firm offering the treatment in Honduras, Lumina Probiotic. Some discussion last week: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39744430 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39744430
DamnInteresting 3y ago
I wrote an article about this exact technology almost 20 years ago, back in 2006[1]. Nifty to see the product actually reaching the market. [1]https://www.damninteresting.com/retired/no-more-cavities/ https://www.damninteresting.com/retired/no-more-cavities/
- canadianfella 3y ago
  [dead]
getwiththeprog 3y ago
They state, but do not link to nor give authors names of the "science" https://www.luminaprobiotic.com/science https://www.luminaprobiotic.com/science $5000 and not approved in other regions? I would be a little wary, but maybe using regions with little regulation could be a great way to test the product?

59 points by mouse_ 3y ago

This might be fun. Offer to kiss people so the bacteria can transfer. Requires at least X minutes to be effective.

From the article: On a different line of research, Jeffrey Hillman from the University of Florida[6] developed a genetically modified strain of Streptococcus mutans called BCS3-L1, that is incapable of producing lactic acid – the acid that dissolves tooth enamel – and aggressively replaces native flora. In laboratory tests, rats who were given BCS3-L1 were conferred with a lifetime of protection against S. mutans.[7] BCS3-L1 colonizes the mouth and produces a small amount of a lantibiotic, called MU1140,[7] which allows it to out-compete S. mutans.[8] Hillman suggested that treatment with BCS3-L1 in humans could also provide a lifetime of protection, or, at worst, require occasional re-applications. He stated that the treatment would be available in dentists' offices and "will probably cost less than $100."[9] The product was being developed by Oragenics, but was shelved in 2014, citing regulatory concerns and patent issues.[10] In 2016, Oragenics received a 17-year patent for the product.[11] In 2023, the startup Lumina Probiotic began offering BCS3-L1 application in Próspera, Honduras.

wwilim 3y ago
That sounds like a two for one deal - your partner doesn't need to pay for the treatment, you just share a passionate kiss and now they too have the improved bacteria
penjelly 3y ago
super interesting but seems risky
janalsncm 3y ago
> The product was being developed by Oragenics, but was shelved in 2014, citing regulatory concerns and patent issues I would be curious what the regulatory issues were. If it was unsafe or not tested enough that would be important to know. Patent issues don’t say anything about safety to the end user and blocking such a helpful treatment on IP grounds is borderline immoral.

2cynykyl 3y ago

There is absolutely no way a dentist is going to apply a treatment that is essentially certain to put them out of business. This is a crazy as a software engineer developing a tool that writes code...oh wait.

peddling-brink 3y ago
They’ll still have the anti vaxxers.
entropicgravity 3y ago
And it's not for the first time. This BBC article shows how best to keep plaque away from your teeth but no dentist or hygienist will mention it to you because, well you know why. People, mostly elderly, are literally dying because this knowledge is not being disseminated widely. Spread the word. (The first article about this technique appeared in BBC circa 1995.) [1] [1]https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220718-the-best-way-to-brush-your-teeth https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220718-the-best-way-to-...
- boneghost 3y ago
  > no dentist or hygienist will mention it to you because, well you know why. Every single dentist I've been to has told me this method. Maybe it's a regional thing?
  - gostintheshell 3y ago
    The only drill and fill dentist I ever encountered had a great location for temporary residents and wasn't recommended to me by anyone.. I think most dentists work on lifetime value and prefer to give the advice in the article to anyone who seems open to advice.
- beojan 3y ago
  That technique is something you get pretty much automatically if you use an electric toothbrush.

deleted 3y ago

[deleted]

more_corn 3y ago

I’ve heard it suggested that removing this bacteria could make room in the ecosystem for bacteria that are even more problematic. Of course I heard that from a dentist five seconds after he heard about the idea so take that for what it’s worth.

mouse_ 3y ago
This treatment does not remove any bacteria, it replaces it with the same bacteria with the exception that it does not drill holes in your enamel.

ChrisArchitect 3y ago

Instead of this mostly general wiki article, link to the firm offering the treatment in Honduras, Lumina Probiotic. Some discussion last week: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39744430 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39744430

DamnInteresting 3y ago

I wrote an article about this exact technology almost 20 years ago, back in 2006[1]. Nifty to see the product actually reaching the market. [1]https://www.damninteresting.com/retired/no-more-cavities/ https://www.damninteresting.com/retired/no-more-cavities/

canadianfella 3y ago
[dead]

getwiththeprog 3y ago

They state, but do not link to nor give authors names of the "science" https://www.luminaprobiotic.com/science https://www.luminaprobiotic.com/science $5000 and not approved in other regions? I would be a little wary, but maybe using regions with little regulation could be a great way to test the product?