Stopping tooth decay

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Use the starter slide with your class to aid students’ understanding of new types of nanoparticles for ages 14–16

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Tooth decay happens as a result of bacteria in the mouth metabolising sugar in our food to produce acidic by-products. These acids can corrode tooth enamel, which is comprised mostly of the calcium phosphate mineral hydroxyapatite. One of the problems is that the bacteria create a tough biofilm, known as plaque, which adheres to the enamel and keeps the bacteria in close contact with teeth.

Scientists have shown that cerium oxide nanoparticles can inhibit the formation of the biofilm on teeth. The presence of the cerium oxide nanoparticles led to a ‘very weak’ biofilm that washed away.

Although nanoparticles prevent microbes from forming adherent biofilms, they do not actually kill the bacteria. This means the delicate balance within the complex oral microbiome is not disturbed. The researchers now plan to test the potential toxicity of the nanoparticles using cell lines of the lower digestive tract.

Read the full story in Chemistry World.