Formulation and Evaluation of Characteristics, Remineralization Potential, and Antimicrobial Properties of Toothpaste Containing Nanohydroxyapatite and Nanosilver Particles: An In Vitro Study

Fluoride is a proven anticariogenic agent available in various forms that can be used both professionally and at home.The use of antibacterial agents like chlorhexidine and listerine as mouth rinses are effective in caries prevention.Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is used globally to prevent and arrest caries, particularly in developing countries. 3rofessionally applied agents require frequent dental visits as they are technique-sensitive and time-consuming.Therefore, IntroductIonDental caries remains a significant yet preventable oral health issue in India and globally.The Global Burden of Disease Study by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 estimated that 520 million children suffer from caries in primary teeth, and 2 billion adults suffer from caries in permanent teeth.Dental caries is now defined as "a dysbiosis in the oral microbiome." 1 It is a chronic disease with multifactorial etiology, primarily due to an imbalance between remineralization and demineralization processes.The known etiological factors for dental caries, such as sugar consumption, alterations in salivary flow, socioeconomic status, changes in oral pH, poor oral hygiene, and carbohydrate-rich diets, are now considered "etiological pressures" that contribute to dysbiosis in the oral environment.Dental caries interferes with normal nutrition intake, speech, selfesteem, daily routine activities and impair cognitive development among children.Therefore, focusing on the prevention of dental caries is of utmost importance. 2 Dental caries is considered a "complex" or "multifactorial" disease with no single causation pathway.Therefore, prevention does not depend solely on a single preventive method, such as the elimination of microorganisms, diet control, or behavioral modifications.