17 April 2022

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Penn Med study links anemia and tooth plaque

Katherine E. Pfaff

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Iron-deficiency anemia has been tied to tooth decay, though the exact relationship is unclear as the conditions may be more prevalent in populations with poor diets rather than the former causing the latter. Penn Dental Medicine of the University and Pennsylvania and Indiana University have undertaken research on the subject. 

The research received funding from the NIH (DE025848) and Johnson & Johnson (573399).

In their study, the collaborative pair of universities have treated iron-deficiency anemia with approved therapies and will evaluate the effect on avoiding, diagnosing, or treating plaque that causes tooth decay. During the study, which was published by Nano Letters, participants received ferumoxytol and hydrogen peroxide, an iron-oxide based nanoparticle solution. 

The treatment was given to participants twice each day when ferumoxytol was applied to enamel on an appliance worn by participants. They then used a rinse with hydrogen peroxide that activated the ferumoxytol. Results of the study were that the treatment reduced dental plaque and impacted the bacteria known to be behind tooth decay. 

"We found that this approach is both precise and effective," said Dr. Michel Koo, a professor at Penn Dental Medicine and co-director of the school's Center for Innovation and Precision Dentistry.  "It disrupts dental biofilms (plaque), particularly those that cause caries, and it also reduced the extent of enamel decay. This is the first study we know of done in a clinical setting that demonstrates the therapeutic value of nanozymes against an infectious disease."

Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/penn-dental-medicine-study-finds-nanozyme-therapy-prevents-dental-plaque-buildup-301519117.html