Dr. Jeffrey Hillman’s mutant strain of Streptococcus mutans doesn’t produce destructive lactose acid.

Working in his research lab in 1976, Dr. Jeffrey Hillman accidentally discovered a mutant strain of Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that causes tooth decay. Unlike typical Streptococcus mutans, this strain was lactose-deficient, meaning that after it gorged on sugar, it didn’t produce copious amounts of lactose acid, the stuff that digs holes in tooth enamel.

Hillman, a dentist and professor of oral biology at the University of Florida’s College of Dentistry, immediately recognized the potential of this newfound strain: No more cavities. No more drills.

After years of clinical trials, first on rats and now on people, Hillman’s treatment is moving closer to market. Called Replacement Therapy, it essentially replaces the Streptococcus mutans already in the mouth with a modified, lactose-deficient strain. “It may take six months to a year, but eventually our strain will kick out the disease-causing strain,” he says. “A one-time treatment can give lifetime protection.”

A rat with acid-producing Streptococcus mutans fed a high sugar diet for two months suffered severe tooth decay (above). A rat given the Replacement Therapy strain and fed the same diet fared much better

Hillman is convinced his treatment is safe and harmless to everything but decay. All that remains is convincing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

As he awaits the FDA’s decision, Hillman continues to work on other treatments. He says his Probiora3, a mixture of three naturally occurring bacteria, can also prevent cavities, but only if used daily. His company, Oragenics Inc., located in UF’s Sid Martin Biotechnology Development Incubator in Alachua, is looking for a partner to produce it either in mouthwash or chewing gum. The formula has already passed all of its clinical trials, and Hillman hopes it will be available this year.

Dr. Scott Wagner, a Jacksonville dentist, thinks Hillman’s work “could potentially redefine the profession.”

State of Dentistry

Florida counties with the most licensed dentists and dental hygienists County Dentists Hygienists Miami-Dade 1,415 961 Broward 1,152 1,011 Palm Beach 941 834 Hillsborough 601 486 Pinellas 582 611 Orange 519 490 Duval 404 415 Sarasota 262 235

Florida counties with the fewest licensed dentists and dental hygienists County Dentists Hygienists Glades 0 1 Union 0 8 Lafayette 1 1 Liberty 1 1 Gilchrist 1 3 Hamilton 2 1 Franklin 2 2 Taylor 2 5

Pearly Whites

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry offers these natural teeth-whitening tips:

› Strawberries and apples contain malic acid, a natural stain remover. The citric acid in lemons can also brighten teeth.

› Chewing on raw fruits and vegetables can help clean your teeth. Sugarless gum can help, too.

› Avoid coffee, red wine and dark soft drinks. If you can’t give these drinks up, use a straw to reduce the liquid’s contact with teeth.

› Brush with baking soda twice a month.

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