An anhydrous carboxymethyl chitosan/amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomposite toothpaste promotes enamel surface...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology in Dentistry
• Caries Prevention
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Early-stage dental caries can be managed through remineralization.
• Existing remineralizing toothpastes have limitations.
• Carboxymethyl chitosan/amorphous calcium phosphate (CMC/ACP) nanocomposites offer remineralization and antibacterial properties but degrade in aqueous formulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel anhydrous toothpaste containing CMC/ACP nanoparticles for early caries management.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized and characterized CMC/ACP nanoparticles.
• Incorporated nanoparticles into an anhydrous matrix for stability.
• Assessed antibacterial efficacy against Streptococcus mutans.
• Evaluated enamel remineralization in vitro and in vivo.
• Verified biosafety through cell viability and toxicity tests.

Main Results:

• CMC/ACP nanoparticles remained stable in the anhydrous matrix for one year with controlled ion release.
• The toothpaste significantly inhibited S. mutans adhesion and biofilm formation.
• A 2μm enamel surface remineralization layer formed within 3 days.
• The formulation demonstrated excellent biocompatibility with no observed oral or systemic toxicity.

Conclusions:

• The anhydrous CMC/ACP toothpaste effectively prevents caries by inhibiting biofilm formation and promoting enamel remineralization.
• This formulation offers a convenient, non-invasive strategy for daily oral care, public health, and clinical translation.