Copper Doped Carbon Dots for Addressing Bacterial Biofilm Formation, Wound Infection, and Tooth Staining

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Oral Microbiology

Background:

• Oral infectious diseases and tooth staining stem from microbial biofilms.
• Current dental therapies lack universal, safe, and simple prophylactic options.
• Developing novel agents to combat oral pathogens and improve aesthetics is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate copper-doped carbon dots (Cu-CDs) as a multifunctional agent for oral health management.
• To evaluate the efficacy of Cu-CDs in inhibiting bacterial adhesion, eradicating biofilms, and promoting tooth whitening.
• To assess the safety and biocompatibility of Cu-CDs in the oral environment.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of copper-doped carbon dots (Cu-CDs).
• Evaluation of Cu-CDs' catalytic activity (catalase-like and peroxidase-like) in oral conditions.
• Assessment of Cu-CDs' antibacterial efficacy against *Streptococcus mutans*, *Staphylococcus aureus*, and *Escherichia coli*.
• Testing the tooth whitening performance of the Cu-CDs/H₂O₂ system and its impact on enamel and dentin.

Main Results:

• Cu-CDs demonstrated enhanced catalytic activity, inhibiting initial bacterial adhesion and eradicating biofilms via oxygen and reactive oxygen species generation.
• Cu-CDs exhibited strong affinity for lipopolysaccharides and peptidoglycans, providing broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
• The Cu-CDs/H₂O₂ system achieved superior tooth whitening compared to alternatives, with negligible destruction of enamel and dentin.
• Cu-CDs showed biocompatibility and potential for wound healing promotion.

Conclusions:

• Biocompatible Cu-CDs are a promising nano-mouthwash for eliminating oral pathogenic biofilms.
• Cu-CDs offer a multifunctional approach to oral health, including wound healing and tooth whitening.
• This research highlights the potential of Cu-CDs in advancing oral health management strategies.