Are Nanoparticles the New Secret Weapon Against Tooth Decay?

LOS ANGELES, April 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Technological innovation and scientific discovery are critical components of healthcare that have greatly improved treatment and patient care across all fields of medicine. As medical experts and scientists continue to find new and better ways to prevent and cure maladies, patients continue to benefit from practices that are increasingly practical, more effective, and less invasive. These advancements have made their way to dentistry, where dentists and patients alike can benefit from better tools and techniques for a superior overall patient experience. As new methods and treatments continue to be explored, such as the fascinating possibility of using nanoparticles to reduce plaque, simple, traditional methods continue to yield positive results. Though dental experts like the team at Medical Center Dental Care—a leading Calabasas dentist—always pursue the latest technology and best practices, they also remind their patients of the tried and true methods like a simple tooth brushing.

According to new research being led by the University of Rochester and the University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental medicine, the therapeutic agents currently used to reduce dental plaque and prevent tooth decay are nowhere near as effective as they could be due to one important factor: saliva. The natural build-up of saliva in one's mouth followed by swallowing prevents the anti-plaque agents found in items like tooth paste from sticking efficiently to the surface of the teeth. Researchers suggest using a new delivery method to deliver an antibacterial agent—called farnesol—to targeted sites within the plaque.

Researchers created a spherical mass of particles to secure the drug with hydrophobic polymers. The team then encased it within an outer layer of positively charged polymers which could easily stick to enamel, the negatively charged surface of the teeth. This prevented the drug from washing away, resulting in a significantly increased breakdown of plaque. By adjusting the PH levels of the inner layer of particles, researchers were able to program the drug to release when exposed to cavity-causing agents such as glucose, sucrose, and starch.

Though researchers hope that their breakthrough will one day lead to more effective plaque treatments, particularly in the chronic conditions that lead to tooth decay, they advise the best dental treatment is still basic prevention. Keeping up with good dental habits such as brushing, flossing, and regular visits to a good dentist in West Hills or elsewhere are still the best ways to maintain good oral care. The highly trained team at Medical Center Dental Care is an excellent choice that can give patients just that. As a popular general and children's dentist in Woodland Hills, their office has the dental treatments and solutions their patients need for quality care. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, please visit www.mc-westhillsdentalcare.com or call (818) 452-0038.

PR Submitted by Cyberset.com

SOURCE Medical Center Dental Care

Related Links

http://www.mc-westhillsdentalcare.com

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