The Effectiveness of a Sustainable Silver Nanoparticle Product in Stopping Caries in Children

Objective: This study aims to evaluate caries arrest properties of a liquid solution containing a natural colloidal mineral compound with 40 ppm pure silver nanoparticles (AgNP) as a mouthwash in school-age children. This product is available in Brazil, the United States, Europe, Asia, and Oceania for its claimed germicidal action against pathogenic organisms, including gastrointestinal problems, skin wounds, and respiratory conditions; however, it is not for treating dental infections. Method: This randomized, double-masked clinical trial was conducted in a public school in the city of Recife, Brazil. The sample consisted of 104 children aged 6 to 9 years of both sexes. The chosen product was Almacura®️ brand Colloidal Silver. A group of calibrated dentists from the University of Pernambuco performed a dental inspection and recorded the dmft and DMFT index of the children. After the baseline evaluation, the children were randomly assigned into two groups. In Group 1 (intervention), children rinsed their teeth with the experimental solution. Children in Group 2 (control) brushed their teeth only with fluoridated toothpaste. Children had supplies of toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste. The first follow-up exam, assessing caries progress, was at a three-month interval. Arrested caries were those whose activity ceased within three months. Result: This study indicated that the AgNP solution mouthwash arrested carious lesions on its own within three months. The analytical statistics revealed a significant association between caries arrest and the use of the product (P < 0.05). However, the efficacy indicated an NNT of 6, meaning that six children need to be treated to prevent caries in one child. Conclusion: An AgNP product already marketed in several countries may serve as a coadjuvant method to prevent dental decay in children, to be used in conjunction with traditional methods, thereby increasing their effectiveness in combating dental disease. The product is low-cost and easy to apply.