(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
THERE IS a new hydrogel treatment that breaks apart the biofilms that form cavities.
At the same time, the hydrogel whitens teeth without damaging them.
Toothpastes is good at removing stains on the surface of teeth. However, whitening treatments may possibly harm the enamel, causing cavities to form and discoloration to appear.
This is not the case with the new hydrogel, reports the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Applied Materials & Interfaces.
Daily toothbrushing and flossing are good ways to prevent cavities from forming, according to the American Dental Association.
However, these methods don’t effectively whiten teeth, the ACS says.
“For better whitening, consumers often turn to over-the-counter or professional treatments that combine hydrogen peroxide-containing gels and 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,” it says.
ACS researchers Xiaolei Wang, Lan Liao and colleagues have previously modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles for a less destructive tooth-whitening treatment.
The method, according to the ACS, still required high-intensity blue light, which can damage nearby skin and eyes.
This time, the researchers looked at a safer alternative, a material that would be activated by green light to both 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 onto the surface of teeth stuck to a slide and sprayed the mixture 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 said in a press statement.
In another set of experiments, the researchers showed that the treatment killed 94 percent of bacteria in biofilms.
To demonstrate that the treatment could work on teeth in live organisms, the researchers 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 ACS said. “The researchers say their safe, brush-free treatment both effectively prevents cavities and whitens teeth.”
The research received funding from 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 ACS is a nonprofit organization mandated 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
