Visualizing the dental biofilm matrix by means of fluorescence lectin-binding analysis

Effect of mutanase and dextranase on biofilms of cariogenic bacteria: A systematic review of in vitro studies

Matrix-degrading enzymes are promising non-biocidal adjuncts to dental biofilm control and caries prevention. By disrupting the biofilm matrix structure, enzymes may prevent biofilm formation or disperse established biofilms without compromising the microbial homeostasis in the mouth. This study reviewed whether treatment with mutanase and/or dextranase inhibits cariogenic biofilm growth and/or removes cariogenic biofilms in vitro. An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and LIVIVO databases. Manual searches were performed to identify additional records. Studies that quantitatively measured the effect of mutanase and/or dextranase on the inhibition/removal of in vitro cariogenic biofilms were considered eligible for inclusion. Out of 809 screened records, 34 articles investigating the effect of dextranase (n = 23), mutanase (n = 10), and/or combined enzyme treatment (n = 7) were included in the review. The overall risk of bias of the included studies was moderate. Most investigations used simple biofilm models based on one or few bacterial species and employed treatment times ≥30 min. The current evidence suggests that mutanase and dextranase, applied as single or combined treatment, are able to both inhibit and remove in vitro cariogenic biofilms. The pooled data indicate that enzymes are more effective for biofilm inhibition than removal, and an overall higher effect of mutanase compared to dextranase was observed.

Extracellular host DNA contributes to pathogenic biofilm formation during periodontitis

Introduction

Periodontal diseases are known to be associated with polymicrobial biofilms and inflammasome activation. A deeper understanding of the subgingival cytological (micro) landscape, the role of extracellular DNA (eDNA) during periodontitis, and contribution of the host immune eDNA to inflammasome persistence, may improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlaying severe forms of periodontitis.

Methods

In this work, subgingival biolfilms developing on biologically neutral polyethylene terephthalate films placed in gingival cavities of patients with chronic periodontitis were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). This allowed examination of realistic cytological landscapes and visualization of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) including amyloids, total proteins, carbohydrates and eDNA, as well as comparison with several single-strain in vitro model biofilms produced by oral pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus gordonii, S. sanguinis and S. mitis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis was also used to identify eDNA derived from eubacteria, streptococci and members of the Bacteroides-Porphyromonas-Prevotella (BPP) group associated with periodontitis.

Results

Analysis of subgingival biofilm EPS revealed low levels of amyloids and high levels of eDNA which appears to be the main matrix component. However, bacterial eDNA contributed less than a third of the total eDNA observed, suggesting that host-derived eDNA released in neutrophil extracellular traps may be of more importance in the development of biofilms causing periodontitis.

Discussion

eDNA derived from host immunocompetent cells activated at the onset of periodontitis may therefore be a major driver of bacterial persistence and pathogenesis.

Biofilm volume and acidification within initial biofilms formed in situ on buccally and palatally exposed bracket material

PURPOSE

Acidification by bacterial biofilms at the bracket/tooth interface is one of the most common problems in fixed orthodontic treatments, which can lead to white spot lesions (WSL) and caries. As lingual brackets were shown to exhibit reduced WSL formation clinically, the aim of this in situ study was to compare initial intraoral biofilm formation and acidification on bracket-like specimens placed buccally and palatally in the upper jaw as a possible cause for this observation.

METHODS

Intraoral biofilm was collected from splints equipped with buccally and palatally exposed test specimens, which were worn by 12 volunteers for a total of 48 h. The test specimens consisted of standard bracket material cylinders on top of a hydroxyapatite disc to represent the bracket/tooth interface. They were analyzed for three-dimensional biofilm volume and live/dead distribution by fluorescence staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy as well as for acidification by fluorescence-based pH ratiometry.

RESULTS

Similar general biofilm morphology with regard to volume and viability could be detected for buccally and palatally exposed specimens. For pH values, biofilms from both positions showed increased acidification at the bottom layer. Interestingly, the pH value at the top layers of the biofilms was slightly lower on palatally than on buccally exposed specimens, which may likely be due to anatomic conditions.

CONCLUSION

Based on the results of this study, initial intraoral biofilm formation and acidification is almost similar on the bracket material/biomimetic tooth interface when placed buccally or palatally in the upper jaw. As lingual brackets were shown to exhibit reduced WSL formation clinically, future studies should investigate further factors like bracket geometry.

Meyer R, Lund MB, Schlafer S. Combined pH ratiometry and fluorescence lectin-binding analysis (pH-FLBA) for microscopy-based analyses of biofilm pH and matrix carbohydrates

Bacterial biofilms have a complex and heterogeneous three-dimensional architecture that is characterized by chemically and structurally distinct microenvironments. Confocal microscopy-based pH ratiometry and fluorescence lectin-binding analysis (FLBA) are well-established methods to characterize pH developments and the carbohydrate matrix architecture of biofilms at the microscale. Here, we developed a combined analysis, pH-FLBA, to concomitantly map biofilm pH and the distribution of matrix carbohydrates in bacterial biofilms while preserving the biofilm microarchitecture. As a proof of principle, the relationship between pH and the presence of galactose- and fucose-containing matrix components was investigated in dental biofilms grown with and without sucrose. The pH response to a sucrose challenge was monitored in different areas at the biofilm base using the ratiometric pH-sensitive dye C-SNARF-4. Thereafter, the fucose- and galactose-specific fluorescently labeled lectins Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL) and Morus nigra agglutinin G (MNA-G) were used to visualize carbohydrate matrix components in the same biofilm areas and their immediate surroundings. Sucrose during growth significantly decreased biofilm pH (P < 0.05) and increased the amounts of both MNA-G- and AAL-targeted matrix carbohydrates (P < 0.05). Moreover, it modulated the biofilm composition towards a less diverse community dominated by streptococci, as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Altogether, these results suggest that the production of galactose- and fucose-containing matrix carbohydrates is related to streptococcal metabolism and, thereby, pH profiles in dental biofilms. In conclusion, pH-FLBA using lectins with different carbohydrate specificities is a useful method to investigate the association between biofilm pH and the complex carbohydrate architecture of bacterial biofilms.IMPORTANCEBiofilm pH is a key regulating factor in several biological and biochemical processes in environmental, industrial, and medical biofilms. At the microscale, microbial biofilms are characterized by steep pH gradients and an extracellular matrix rich in carbohydrate components with diffusion-modifying properties that contribute to bacterial acid-base metabolism. Here, we propose a combined analysis of pH ratiometry and fluorescence lectin-binding analysis, pH-FLBA, to concomitantly investigate the matrix architecture and pH developments in microbial biofilms, using complex saliva-derived biofilms as an example. Spatiotemporal changes in biofilm pH are monitored non-invasively over time by pH ratiometry, while FLBA with lectins of different carbohydrate specificities allows mapping the distribution of multiple relevant matrix components in the same biofilm areas. As the biofilm structure is preserved, pH-FLBA can be used to investigate the in situ relationship between the biofilm matrix architecture and biofilm pH in complex multispecies biofilms.

Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology of Weaned Piglets Fed Diets with Different Levels of Glyphosate

Glyphosate possesses antimicrobial properties, and the present study investigated potential effects of feed glyphosate on piglet gastrointestinal microbial ecology. Weaned piglets were allocated to four diets (glyphosate contents [mg/kg feed]: 0 mg/kg control [CON; i.e., basal diet with no glyphosate added], 20 mg/kg as Glyphomax commercial herbicide [GM20], and 20 mg/kg [IPA20] and 200 mg/kg [IPA200] as glyphosate isopropylamine [IPA] salt). Piglets were sacrificed after 9 and 35 days of treatment, and stomach, small intestine, cecum, and colon digesta were analyzed for glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), organic acids, pH, dry matter content, and microbiota composition. Digesta glyphosate contents reflected dietary levels (on day 35, 0.17, 16.2, 20.5, and 207.5 mg/kg colon digesta, respectively). Overall, we observed no significant glyphosate-associated effects on digesta pH, dry matter content, and-with few exceptions-organic acid levels. On day 9, only minor gut microbiota changes were observed. On day 35, we observed a significant glyphosate-associated decrease in species richness (CON, 462; IPA200, 417) and in the relative abundance of certain Bacteroidetes genera: CF231 (CON, 3.71%; IPA20, 2.33%; IPA200, 2.07%) and g_0.24 (CON, 3.69%; IPA20, 2.07%; IPA200, 1.75%) in cecum. No significant changes were observed at the phylum level. In the colon, we observed a significant glyphosate-associated increase in the relative abundance of Firmicutes (CON, 57.7%; IPA20, 69.4%; IPA200, 66.1%) and a decrease in Bacteroidetes (CON, 32.6%; IPA20, 23.5%). Significant changes were only observed for few genera, e.g., g_0.24 (CON, 7.12%; IPA20, 4.59%; IPA200, 4.00%). In conclusion, exposing weaned piglets to glyphosate-amended feed did not affect gastrointestinal microbial ecology to a degree that was considered actual dysbiosis, e.g., no potential pathogen bloom was observed. IMPORTANCE Glyphosate residues can be found in feed made from genetically modified glyphosate-resistant crops treated with glyphosate or from conventional crops, desiccated with glyphosate before harvest. If these residues affect the gut microbiota to an extent that is unfavorable to livestock health and productivity, the widespread use of glyphosate on feed crops may need to be reconsidered. Few in vivo studies have been conducted to investigate potential impact of glyphosate on the gut microbial ecology and derived health issues of animals, in particular livestock, when exposed to dietary glyphosate residues. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate potential effects on the gastrointestinal microbial ecology of newly weaned piglets fed glyphosate-amended diets. Piglets did not develop actual gut dysbiosis when fed diets, containing a commercial herbicide formulation or a glyphosate salt at the maximum residue level, defined by the European Union for common feed crops, or at a 10-fold-higher level.

Composition of mucus- and digesta-associated bacteria in growing pigs with and without diarrhea differed according to the presence of colonic inflammation

BACKGROUND

In the pig production, diarrhea can occur during different growth stages including the period 4-16 weeks post weaning, during which a diarrheal outbreak also termed as colitis-complex diarrhea (CCD) can occur and it is distinct from post-weaning diarrhea (1-2 weeks post weaning). We hypothesized that CCD in growing pigs is associated with changes in colonic microbiota composition and fermentation patterns, and the aim of the present observational study was to identify changes in digesta-associated bacteria (DAB) and mucus-associated bacteria (MAB) in the colon of growing pigs with and without diarrhea. A total number of 30 pigs (8, 11, and 12 weeks of age) were selected; 20 showed clinical signs of diarrhea and 10 appeared healthy. Based on histopathological examination of colonic tissues, 21 pigs were selected for further studies and classified as follows: without diarrhea, no colon inflammation (NoDiar; n = 5), with diarrhea, without colonic inflammation (DiarNoInfl; n = 4), and with diarrhea, with colonic inflammation (DiarInfl; n = 12). Composition (based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing) and fermentation pattern (short-chain fatty acids; SCFA profile) of the DAB and MAB communities were characterized.

RESULTS

The DAB showed higher alpha diversity compared to MAB in all pigs, and both DAB and MAB showed lowest alpha diversity in the DiarNoInfl group. Beta diversity was significantly different between DAB and MAB as well as between diarrheal groups in both DAB and MAB. Compared to NoDiar, DiarInfl showed increased abundance of various taxa, incl. certain pathogens, in both digesta and mucus, as well as decreased digesta butyrate concentration. However, DiarNoInfl showed reduced abundance of different genera (mainly Firmicutes) compared to NoDiar, but still lower butyrate concentration.

CONCLUSION

Diversity and composition of MAB and DAB changed in diarrheal groups depending on presence/absence of colonic inflammation. We also suggest that DiarNoInfl group was at the earlier stage of diarrhea compared with DiarInfl, with a link to dysbiosis of colonic bacterial composition as well as reduced butyrate concentration, which plays a pivotal role in gut health. This could have led to diarrhea with inflammation due to a dysbiosis, associated with an increase in e.g., Escherichia-Shigella (Proteobacteria), Helicobacter (Campylobacterota), and Bifidobacterium (Actinobacteriota), which may tolerate or utilize oxygen and cause epithelial hypoxia and inflammation. The increased consumption of oxygen in epithelial mucosal layer by infiltrated neutrophils may also have added up to this hypoxia. Overall, the results confirmed that changes in DAB and MAB were associated with CCD and reduced butyrate concentration in digesta. Moreover, DAB might suffice for future community-based studies of CCD.

Illuminating the oral microbiome and its host interactions: tools and approaches for molecular ecological studies

A more comprehensive understanding of oral diseases like caries and periodontitis is dependent on an intimate understanding of the microbial ecological processes that are responsible for disease development. With this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of relevant molecular ecology techniques that have played critical roles in the current understanding of human oral biofilm development, interspecies interactions, and microbiome biogeography. The primary focus is on relevant technologies and examples available in the oral microbiology literature. However, most, if not all, of the described technologies should be readily adaptable for studies of microbiomes from other mucosal sites in the body. Therefore, this review is intended to serve as a reference guide used by microbiome researchers as they inevitably transition into molecular mechanistic studies of the many significant phenotypes observed clinically.

A westernized diet changed the colonic bacterial composition and metabolite concentration in a dextran sulfate sodium pig model for ulcerative colitis

Introduction

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the colonic epithelium and has a blurred etiology. A western diet and microbial dysbiosis in the colon were reported to play a role in UC development. In this study, we investigated the effect of a westernized diet, i.e., increasing fat and protein content by including ground beef, on the colonic bacterial composition in a dextran sulfate sodium (DexSS) challenged pig study.

Methods

The experiment was carried out in three complete blocks following a 2×2 factorial design including 24 six-week old pigs, fed either a standard diet (CT) or the standard diet substituted with 15% ground beef to simulate a typical westernized diet (WD). Colitis was induced in half of the pigs on each dietary treatment by oral administration of DexSS (DSS and WD+DSS, respectively). Samples from proximal and distal colon and feces were collected.

Results and discussion

Bacterial alpha diversity was unaffected by experimental block, and sample type. In proximal colon, WD group had similar alpha diversity to CT group and the WD+DSS group showed the lowest alpha diversity compared to the other treatment groups. There was a significant interaction between western diet and DexSS for beta diversity, based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarly. The westernized diet and DexSS resulted in three and seven differentially abundant phyla, 21 and 65 species, respectively, mainly associated with the Firmicutes and Bacteroidota phyla followed by Spirochaetota, Desulfobacterota, and Proteobacteria. The concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) was lowest in the distal colon. Treatment had a slight effect on the estimates for microbial metabolites that might have valuable biological relevance for future studies. The concentration of putrescine in the colon and feces and that of total biogenic amines was highest in the WD+DSS group. We conclude that a westernized diet could be a potential risk factor and an exacerbating agent for UC by reducing the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria, increasing the abundance of pathogens such as Helicobacter trogontum, and by increasing the concentration of microbial proteolytic-derived metabolites in the colon.

Fluorescence lectin binding analysis of carbohydrate components in dental biofilms grown in situ in the presence or absence of sucrose

Carbohydrate components, such as glycoconjugates and polysaccharides, are constituents of the dental biofilm matrix that play an important role in biofilm stability and virulence. Exopolysaccharides in Streptococcus mutans biofilms have been characterized extensively, but comparably little is known about the matrix carbohydrates in complex, in situ-grown dental biofilms. The present study employed fluorescence lectin binding analysis (FLBA) to investigate the abundance and spatial distribution of glycoconjugates/polysaccharides in biofilms (n = 306) from 10 participants, grown in situ with (SUC) and without (H2O) exposure to sucrose. Biofilms were stained with 10 fluorescently labeled lectins with different carbohydrate specificities (AAL, ABA, ASA, HPA, LEA, MNA-G, MPA, PSA, VGA and WGA) and analyzed by confocal microscopy and digital image analysis. Microbial composition was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. With the exception of ABA, all lectins targeted considerable matrix biovolumes, ranging from 19.3% to 194.0% of the microbial biovolume in the biofilms, which illustrates a remarkable variety of carbohydrate compounds in in situ-grown dental biofilms. MNA-G, AAL, and ASA, specific for galactose, fucose, and mannose, respectively, stained the largest biovolumes. AAL and ASA biovolumes were increased in SUC biofilms, but the difference was not significant due to considerable biological variation. SUC biofilms were enriched in streptococci and showed reduced abundances of Neisseria and Haemophilus spp., but no significant correlations between lectin-stained biovolumes and bacterial abundance were observed. In conclusion, FLBA demonstrates the presence of a voluminous biofilm matrix comprising a variety of different carbohydrate components in complex, in situ-grown dental biofilms.

Strategies for dispersion of cariogenic biofilms: applications and mechanisms

Bacteria residing within biofilms are more resistant to drugs than planktonic bacteria. They can thus play a significant role in the onset of chronic infections. Dispersion of biofilms is a promising avenue for the treatment of biofilm-associated diseases, such as dental caries. In this review, we summarize strategies for dispersion of cariogenic biofilms, including biofilm environment, signaling pathways, biological therapies, and nanovehicle-based adjuvant strategies. The mechanisms behind these strategies have been discussed from the components of oral biofilm. In the future, these strategies may provide great opportunities for the clinical treatment of dental diseases. Graphical Abstract.

H-type lectins - Structural characteristics and their applications in diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery

Lectins are ubiquitous carbohydrate-binding proteins that interact with sugar moieties in a highly specific manner. H-type lectins represent a new group of lectins that were identified in invertebrates. These lectins share structural homology and bind mainly to N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc). Recent structural studies on the H-type lectins provided a detailed description of the GalNAc-lectin interaction that is already exploited in a number of biomedical applications. Two members of the H-type lectin family, Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) and Helix aspersa agglutinin (HAA), have already been extensively used in many diagnostic tests due their ability to specifically recognize GalNAc. This ability is especially important because aberrant glycosylation patterns of proteins expressed by cancer cells contain GalNAc. In addition, H-type lectins were utilized in diagnostics of other non-cancer diseases and represent great potential as components of drug delivery systems. Here, we present an overview of the H-type lectins and their applications in diagnostics, analytics and drug delivery.

Microbial Community Drivers in Anaerobic Granulation at High Salinity

In the recent years anaerobic sludge granulation at elevated salinities in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors has been investigated in few engineering based studies, never addressing the microbial community structural role in driving aggregation and keeping granules stability. In this study, the combination of different techniques was applied in order to follow the microbial community members and their structural dynamics in granules formed at low (5 g/L Na⁺) and high (20 g/L Na⁺) salinity conditions. Experiments were carried out in four UASB reactors fed with synthetic wastewater, using two experimental set-ups. By applying 16S rRNA gene analysis, the comparison of granules grown at low and high salinity showed that acetotrophic Methanosaeta harundinacea was the dominant methanogen at both salinities, while the dominant bacteria changed. At 5 g/L Na⁺, cocci chains of Streptoccoccus were developing, while at 20 g/L Na⁺ members of the family Defluviitaleaceae formed long filaments. By means of Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), it was shown that aggregation of Methanosaeta in compact clusters and the formation of filaments of Streptoccoccus and Defluviitaleaceae during the digestion time were the main drivers for the granulation at low and high salinity. Interestingly, when the complex protein substrate (tryptone) in the synthetic wastewater was substituted with single amino acids (proline, leucine and glutamic acid), granules at high salinity (20 g/L Na⁺) were not formed. This corresponded to a decrease of Methanosaeta relative abundance and a lack of compact clustering, together with disappearance of Defluviitaleaceae and consequent absence of bacterial filaments within the dispersed biomass. In these conditions, a biofilm was growing on the glass wall of the reactor instead, highlighting that a complex protein substrate such as tryptone can contribute to granules formation at elevated salinity.

Effects of extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community on the anti-scouribility of sewer sediment

Sewer sediment is the main source of overflow pollution, and the anti-scouribility of sewer sediment directly determines the amount of the discharged contaminants. In this study, sewer sediments of different depths were collected from combined and storm sewers in Shanghai, China. The anti-scouribility, represented by the shear stress of each layer of sewer sediment, was detected in situ. The microbial community and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), including carbohydrates and proteins present in the sewer sediments were characterized. The results indicated that the distribution of the anti-scouribility of sewer sediment is regulated. There were positive correlations between the content of EPS, proteins, and carbohydrates, and the anti-scouribility of sediments (Pearson Corr. = 0.604, sig. = 0.219; Pearson Corr. = 0.623, sig. = 0.234; Pearson Corr. = 0.727, sig. = 0.359, respectively). Furthermore, the microbial community had a positive influence on anti-scouribility. In particular, the gram-positive bacterial phyla of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes may be important and influential for the improvement of anti-scouribility of sediment owing to their production of cellulose.

Intraoral appliances for in situ oral biofilm growth: a systematic review

Background: Oral biofilms are the root cause of major oral diseases. As in vitro biofilms are not representative of the intraoral milieu, various devices have been manufactured over the years to develop Appliance Grown Oral Biofilm (AGOB). Objective: To review various intraoral appliances used to develop AGOB for microbiological analysis, and to judge the optimal means for such analyses. Design: Four databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Medline) were searched by two independent reviewers, and articles featuring the key words 'device' OR 'splint' OR 'appliance'; 'Oral biofilm' OR 'dental plaque'; 'in vivo' OR 'in situ'; 'Microbiology' OR 'Bacteria' OR 'microbiome'; were included. The standard Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were adopted for data gathering. Results: Of the 517 articles which met the initial inclusion criteria, 24 were deemed eligible for review. The age of the AGOB, sampled at various intervals, ranged from 30 min to 28 days. The most commonly used microbiome analytical methods were fluorescence microscopy, total cell count using conventional, and molecular tools including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms. Conclusions: No uniformly superior method for collecting AGOB could be discerned. NGS platforms are preferable for AGOB analyses.

Extracellular polymeric substances of biofilms: Suffering from an identity crisis

Microbial biofilms can be both cause and cure to a range of emerging societal problems including antimicrobial tolerance, water sanitation, water scarcity and pollution. The identities of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) responsible for the establishment and function of biofilms are poorly understood. The lack of information on the chemical and physical identities of EPS limits the potential to rationally engineer biofilm processes, and impedes progress within the water and wastewater sector towards a circular economy and resource recovery. Here, a multidisciplinary roadmap for addressing this EPS identity crisis is proposed. This involves improved EPS extraction and characterization methodologies, cross-referencing between model biofilms and full-scale biofilm systems, and functional description of isolated EPS with in situ techniques (e.g. microscopy) coupled with genomics, proteomics and glycomics. The current extraction and spectrophotometric characterization methods, often based on the principle not to compromise the integrity of the microbial cells, should be critically assessed, and more comprehensive methods for recovery and characterization of EPS need to be developed.

Dual-Targeting Approach Degrades Biofilm Matrix and Enhances Bacterial Killing

Biofilm formation is a key virulence factor responsible for a wide range of infectious diseases, including dental caries. Cariogenic biofilms are structured microbial communities embedded in an extracellular matrix that affords bacterial adhesion-cohesion and drug tolerance, making them difficult to treat using conventional antimicrobial monotherapy. Here, we investigated a multitargeted approach combining exopolysaccharide (EPS) matrix-degrading glucanohydrolases with a clinically used essential oils-based antimicrobial to potentiate antibiofilm efficacy. Our data showed that dextranase and mutanase can synergistically break down the EPS glucan matrix in preformed cariogenic biofilms, markedly enhancing bacterial killing by the antimicrobial agent (3-log increase versus antimicrobial alone). Further analyses revealed that an EPS-degrading/antimicrobial (EDA) approach disassembles the matrix scaffold, exposing the bacterial cells for efficient killing while concurrently causing cellular dispersion and "physical collapse" of the bacterial clusters. Unexpectedly, we found that the EDA approach can also selectively target the EPS-producing cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans with higher killing specificity (versus other species) within mixed biofilms, disrupting their accumulation and promoting dominance of commensal bacteria. Together, these results demonstrate a dual-targeting approach that can enhance antibiofilm efficacy and precision by dismantling the EPS matrix and its protective microenvironment, amplifying the killing of pathogenic bacteria within.