Biofilms and oral health: nanotechnology for biofilm control

Dental biofilms are complex microbial communities enclosed by a self-produced extracellular matrix, leading to dental caries, periodontitis, and other oral diseases. These biofilms are often resistant to conventional antibiotics and result in persistent infections that negatively impact oral health. Recent advances in nanotechnology have demonstrated nanoparticles as a promising therapeutic alternative for controlling dental biofilms. In addition, such nanoparticles possess unique physicochemical properties such as high surface area-to-volume ratio, enhanced reactivity, and ability to penetrate biofilm structures. Therefore, this review explores the potential of various nanoparticles, such as silver, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide, in disrupting biofilm formation and removal of pathogenic oral biofilm forming bacteria. Additionally, this review critically examines various strategies for surface functionalization of nanoparticles to enhance their antimicrobial efficacy and biofilm-targeting capabilities. Furthermore, the article also presents various applications of dental materials coated with nanoparticles in preventing biofilm adhesion and growth. In essence, this review article will provide collective information on various approaches in using nanoparticles to reduce the risk of recurrent oral infections and enhance overall dental health.