Current trends and future prospects of chemical management of oral biofilms

Biofilm battleground: Unveiling the hidden challenges, current approaches and future perspectives in combating biofilm associated bacterial infections

A biofilm is a complex aggregation of microorganisms, either of the same or different species, that adhere to a surface and are encased in an extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix. Quorum sensing (QS) and biofilm formation are closely linked, as QS genes regulate the development, maturation, and breakdown of biofilms. Inhibiting QS can be utilized as an effective approach to combat the impacts of biofilm infection. The impact of biofilms includes chronic infections, industrial biofouling, infrastructure corrosion, and environmental contamination as well. Therefore, a deep understanding of biofilms is crucial for enhancing public health, advancing industrial processes, safeguarding the environment, and deepening our knowledge of microbial life as well. This review aims to offer a comprehensive examination of challenges posed by bacterial biofilms, contemporary approaches and strategies for effectively eliminating biofilms, including the inhibition of quorum sensing pathways, while also focusing on emerging technologies and techniques for biofilm treatment. In addition, future research is projected to target the challenges associated with the bacterial biofilms, striving to develop new approaches and improve existing strategies for their effective control and eradication.

Effectiveness of Mouthwash-Containing Silver Nanoparticles on Cariogenic Microorganisms, Plaque Index, and Salivary pH in A Group of Saudi Children

Objectives:

To compare the effectiveness of Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and Chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Lactobacillus spp., and Candida albicans (C. albicans) counts O’Leary plaque index (O’Leary PI) scores, and salivary pH levels among children.

Materials and Methods:

The study sample consisted of 117 eligible participants aged 12–18 years. They were divided into control, CHX, and AgNPs groups, with 39 subjects per group. The log10 salivary microbial counts, O’Leary PI, and salivary pH values were recorded and statistically analyzed at baseline and the 28th day. Descriptive statistics were presented as the mean ± standard deviation. In addition, the analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey posthoc test were implemented. The p-value ≤ 0.05 denotes a significant difference between the two points.

Results:

AgNPs and CHX mouthwash were found to have significantly reduced salivary microbial counts and O’Leary PI scores. The salivary pH levels notably increased on the 28th day (p-value < 0.001). All measured outcomes demonstrated notable effects, with the greatest observed for the CHX group, followed by the AgNPs group, and finally, the control group.

Conclusion:

Chlorhexidine and AgNPs mouthwash effectively reduced the cariogenic microbial count and dental plaque and improved the salivary pH values. AgNPs mouthwash may be used as an adjunctive measure to prevent dental caries.

The Current Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Synthetic/Herbal/Biomaterials in Dental Application

Herbal and chemical products are used for oral care and biofilm treatment and also have been reported to be controversial in the massive trials conducted in this regard. The present review is aimed at evaluating the potential of relevant herbal and chemical products and comparing their outcomes to conventional oral care products and summarizing the current state of evidence of the antibiofilm properties of different products by evaluating studies from the past eleven years. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), essential oils (EOs), and acetylpyridinium chloride were, respectively, the most commonly studied agents in the included studies. As confirmed by all systematic reviews, CHX and EO significantly control the plaque formation and gingival indices. Fluoride is another interesting reagent in oral care products that has shown promising results of oral health improvement, but the evidence quality needs to be refined. The synergy between natural plants and chemical products should be targeted in the future to accede to the formation of new, efficient, and healthy anticaries strategies. Moreover, to discover their biofilm-interfering or biofilm-inhibiting activities, effective clinical trials are needed. In this review article, therapeutic applications of herbal/chemical materials in oral biofilm infections are discussed in recent years (2010-2022).

Bio-Interactive Zwitterionic Dental Biomaterials for Improving Biofilm Resistance: Characteristics and Applications

Biofilms are formed on surfaces inside the oral cavity covered by the acquired pellicle and develop into a complex, dynamic, microbial environment. Oral biofilm is a causative factor of dental and periodontal diseases. Accordingly, novel materials that can resist biofilm formation have attracted significant attention. Zwitterionic polymers (ZPs) have unique features that resist protein adhesion and prevent biofilm formation while maintaining biocompatibility. Recent literature has reflected a rapid increase in the application of ZPs as coatings and additives with promising outcomes. In this review, we briefly introduce ZPs and their mechanism of antifouling action, properties of human oral biofilms, and present trends in anti-biofouling, zwitterionic, dental materials. Furthermore, we highlight the existing challenges in the standardization of biofilm research and the future of antifouling, zwitterated, dental materials.