Czech scientists develop probiotic dental nanofloss that could help prevent gum disease

Czech scientists have introduced what they describe as the world’s first probiotic dental nanofloss. It releases beneficial bacteria beneath the gum line and may help reduce gum inflammation linked to periodontitis. I spoke with gum disease specialist and member of the research team Filip Hromčík and asked how the idea came about.

This dental nanofloss contains probiotics that effectively combat the bacteria that cause periodontal disease|Photo: FN u Sv. Anny Brno

“The idea started with thinking about new benefits dental floss could bring to patients using a device they may already use. We came up with the concept that this nanofloss could consist of two different layers.

“The inner layer, or core, is made from micro-threads or microfibers, while the outer shell is made from nanofibers that are able to carry additional molecules or features. These could include antimicrobial compounds, essential oils, or, in our case, a probiotic bacterial strain.

“So the nanofloss works not only as floss. It keeps the normal ability to remove dental plaque, but at the same time it carries the probiotic strain in the nanoshell, which the clinical trial later showed can be released into the tissues of the gums.”

How do the probiotic bacteria in the floss actually help our gums?

A close-up view of a dental nanofloss under a microscope|Photo: FN u Sv. Anny Brno

“That’s an important question. The use of probiotics in medicine is nothing new. They are meant to interact with the existing microbiota in the oral cavity in a beneficial way and help shift the ecosystem toward a healthier composition of bacteria.

“Traditionally, probiotics are applied as mouthwashes, lozenges, pastilles or chewing gums. In our case, they are introduced directly by the dental floss into the gums, the dental sulcus and the area around the tooth. This may be even more beneficial because the bacteria can become the first colonizers of the freshly cleaned tooth surface.

Dental nanofloss|Photo: FN u Sv. Anny Brno

“Just imagine that you clean your teeth with floss. At that moment the tooth is perfectly clean, and the first bacteria to recolonize the surface would be our probiotic strain, which could influence how the new biofilm is formed.”

How easy would this nanofloss be for people to use at home compared to normal floss? Would they use it in the same way?

“Actually, the way it is used is exactly the same. As with traditional dental floss or any other floss, proper technique is essential. If floss is not used correctly, it can damage the gums or teeth, or you might simply fail to remove all the biofilm.

“So the technique is very important, but it does not differ in any way from using regular dental floss.”

When could people realistically expect this probiotic nanofloss to become available to the public?

The process of dental hygiene|Photo: Lenka Žižková, Radio Prague International

 

“We have just finished the clinical stage, so we now have the data needed to apply for manufacturing the dental floss. The next question is how to produce it in larger amounts and make it commercially available in a sustainable way.

“According to the manufacturer, the company Wikinomist directed by František Janda in southern Bohemia, the dental floss could potentially become available on the market in the second half of next year.”

And finally, gum disease becoming more common today, or are we simply better at detecting it?

Photo: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels, CC0 1.0 DEED

“I suppose the overall prevalence of the disease has remained fairly stable over the last twenty years. It may simply be that we talk about it more now and that awareness has increased.

“Patients are more aware of gum disease, and dental professionals may also be better prepared to detect its signs and treat it properly.”