Insights into blue light accelerated tooth whitening

Photocatalytic TiO2/HAP nanocomposite for antimicrobial treatment, promineralization, and tooth whitening

Early dental caries and tooth staining are prevalent clinical conditions, so it is of great clinical significance to develop a multifunctional material. Photocatalytic therapies play a significant role in the medical field. However, the use of photocatalytic materials in the dental field is relatively limited. In this study, multifunctional titanium dioxide/nanohydroxyapatite (TiO2/HAP) nanocomposites were synthesised using a hydrothermal method and investigated for their antibacterial properties, mineralization-promoting effects, tooth whitening capabilities, and biocompatibility. TiO2 serves as a photocatalyst, facilitating antimicrobial treatment and improving teeth whitening through a photodynamic reaction. HAP, as a mineralization-promoting agent, effectively promotes enamel remineralization following plaque removal. The results of the whitening experiment indicated after treatment by TiO2/HAP combined with blue light irradiation, the tooth color improved from C4 to A1. In a rat molar model of early caries, TiO2/HAP effectively removed dental plaque and increased the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio to 1.58, further validating the results of the microhardness test. Meanwhile, TiO2/HAP nanocomposites demonstrated good biocompatibility in vivo and did not significantly alter the oral microbial community. The results indicate that TiO2/HAP plays a significant role in antimicrobial activity, remineralization, and tooth whitening, offering a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of early caries and tooth staining.

A review on natural teeth whitening

BACKGROUND

Discoloration of teeth occurs for various reasons. Common ingredients like substances from tea and coffee, as well as antibiotics like tetracycline, or food dyes, can percolate into the teeth, and, as such, these stains may persist in the porous structure of the enamel. Smoking is also contributory to dental discoloration, with toxins of tobacco smoke accumulating in a similar way. With aging, teeth tend to be discolored with accumulation of various stains in addition to the enamel gradually eroding to expose the yellow dentin.

HIGHLIGHT

This review focused on the effect of several natural ingredients with teeth-whitening properties and their daily clinical application. Metabolic dental bleaching mechanisms, as well as tooth discoloration and decay, were also reviewed. The current scientific literature (mostly from 2000 to 2020) was consolidated from manuscripts retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar.

CONCLUSION

Natural teeth whitening effectively lightens the natural color of teeth without eroding dental surfaces. On the other hand, commercially available whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, in high concentrations, can lead to deproteinization and demineralization of teeth through oxidation processes. If used extensively, these compounds may cause a number of adverse effects. Alternative natural teeth-whiteners include ingredients like lemons, strawberries, oranges, papaya, and other fruits. Such natural ingredients offer a milder and safer way of whitening teeth than whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.