Zerovalent Bismuth Nanoparticle as an Aid for Treatment of Dental Caries by Inhibiting Streptococcus Mutans

Dental caries is a dental biofilm-related disease associated with increased consumption of dietary sugar and fermentable carbohydrates. This biofilm matures to become cariogenic and in some cases the bacteria present in the biofilm turns food starches into acid which erodes teeth. Streptococcus mutans (S. Mutans) was found to be the most dominant species in caries initiation having acidogenic and aciduric properties. Glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) have the main role in adhering S. Mutans on tooth enamel which eventually leads to a tooth decay. The adherence of S. Mutans to the surface of enamel or the physiological ability (acidogenity and aciduricity) in dental biofilms can be reduced, resulting in a decrease caries formation which may be achieved by using a nanostructured material. Nanostructured material are used in many fields, including biological sciences and medicine. Zerovalent bismuth nanoparticles were introduced to resist the resistance caused by microbes to various antibiotics and also showing antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity. However the mechanism of antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm activity is not completely understood, and their precise mechanism of action against bacteria remains to be fully elucidated.