DENTA: A Dual Enzymatic Nanoagent for Self-Activating Tooth Whitening and Biofilm Disruption

Traditional tooth whitening agents, particularly those based on hydrogen peroxide, are effective in achieving significant dental whitening but are prone to side effects such as tooth hypersensitivity and structural damage because of the highly concentrated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Although various nanoparticles, including metal oxides, ceramics, and piezoelectric materials, have been explored as alternative whitening agents, they often exhibit limitations such as insufficient ROS generation, poor biocompatibility, and an increased risk of bacterial infections. In this study, an innovative nanoapatite-based whitening material is presented, termed DENTA (Dual Enzymatic Nanoagent for Tooth-whitening and Antibiofilm Activity), which harnesses dual enzyme catalysis by integrating glucose oxidase and catalase. Designed to penetrate the dentinal tubules, DENTA leverages naturally occurring salivary glucose to continuously produce ROS, enabling effective and prolonged whitening while mitigating the side effects of conventional agents through controlled and reduced ROS concentrations. Moreover, DENTA exhibits distinctive antibacterial activity driven by glucose-responsive ROS generation within biologically relevant concentration ranges, while maintaining excellent biocompatibility with oral cells under glucose-supplemented conditions. This groundbreaking enzymatic nano-whitening approach, validated under simulated tooth-brushing conditions, positions DENTA as a promising candidate for safe, effective, and multifunctional tooth whitening in practical at-home applications.