Mouthwash tells when to go to the dentist

Tooth decay is a major unresolved public health problem that affects close 30% of the world population.

The mouth is home to many microbes, representing over 700 species, some of which are associated with oral health and others with various types of disease. Acidic plaque produced by certain species of microbes attributed to Streptococcus mutant.

Everyday oral regime removes a lot of plaque. But eventually, the plaque that is left behind builds up and needs to be removed by a professional.

Other species (e.g., Streptococcus oralis) are beneficial to our health and actually can help prevent tooth decay by inhibiting the formation of plaque.

Treating tooth decay requires removing acidic plaque, but preventing tooth decay requires stopping those plaques from developing in the first place.

Researchers suggest a nanoparticle solution consisting of a compound called ferumoxytol for treating, preventing, and diagnosing tooth decay.

Ferumoxytol might provide a better mouthwash because it selectively kills the bad bacteria that produce acidic plaque but left the good bacteria unscathed. It can also diagnose the earliest stages of tooth decay thanks to a dye that turns blue in the presence of acidic plaque. The more acidic plaque there is, the bluer the teeth become.