(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
A NEW hydrogel treatment that gets rid of biofilms has been developed by scientists.
The treatment whitens without damaging teeth as well as break apart cavity-forming biofilms, the sticky substance made of bacteria that sticks on teeth.
The hydrogel, which does not dissolve in liquid and can absorb and retain large amounts of water, was developed by researchers at the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Applied Materials & Interfaces.
The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Youth Project of Jiangxi Province, Key Research and Development Program of Jiangxi Province, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province and the Graduate Innovation Special Fund Project of Jiangxi Province.
The new hydrogel is better than toothpastes, which only remove surface stains, and whitening treatments, which can harm enamel and cause cavities and discoloration, the ACS says.
While the American Dental Association recommends daily toothbrushing and flossing to prevent cavities, these methods don’t effectively whiten teeth, the ACS says.
To get a better whitening effect, consumers often turn to over-the-counter or professional treatments. These combine gels that contain hydrogen peroxide with blue light, producing a chemical reaction that removes stains. This combination removes most of the discoloration, but generates reactive oxygen species that can break down enamel.
Researchers Xiaolei Wang, Lan Liao and colleagues have previously modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles for a less destructive tooth-whitening treatment. However, this method still required high-intensity blue light, which can damage nearby skin and eyes.
The researchers wanted to find a material that would be activated by green light (a safer alternative) to whiten teeth and prevent cavities.
The researchers combined bismuth oxychloride nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles and sodium alginate into a thick mixture. They evenly coated the mixture on the surface of teeth stuck to a slide and sprayed the concoction with a calcium chloride solution, forming a strongly adhering hydrogel.
They then tested the material on teeth that were stained with coffee, tea, blueberry juice and soy sauce and placed in a lab dish.
Following treatment with the hydrogel and green light, the teeth got brighter over time, and there was no damage to the enamel, the ACS says.
In another set of experiments, the team showed that the treatment killed 94 percent of bacteria in biofilms.
To demonstrate that the treatment could work on teeth, the team used the new method on mice whose mouths were inoculated with cavity-forming bacteria. The green-light activated hydrogel effectively prevented moderate and deep cavities from forming on the surface of the animals’ teeth.
The researchers say their safe, brush-free treatment both effectively prevents cavities and whitens teeth.
The ACS is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress to advance the broader chemistry enterprise.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
