DIM: The Natural Compound Battling Tooth-Decaying Bacteria and Biofilms

Indole, a byproduct of the amino acid tryptophan, acts as a bacterial signal that drives biofilm formation including the tooth-clinging plaques linked to oral infections and dental caries. These biofilms, major public health threats, form complex structures on teeth via pioneer microbes like Streptococcus mutans, the prime culprit in cavities.
Our study reveals that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), a natural bis-indole compound, slashes S. mutans biofilm by 92%. It also curbs extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production and weakens biofilms under acidic conditions. These anti-biofilm and anti-virulence effects position DIM as a promising natural agent for caries prevention.

Source : https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10295630/