Antibacterial efficacy of dental floss coated with green synthesised zinc oxide nanoparticles using Calotropis gigantea flower extract: An in vitro study.

Abstract

Dental floss aids in mechanical plaque removal by cleaning interdental areas, reducing periodontal disease risk, and enabling medicament delivery. This study evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of green-synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs)-coated dental floss against early dental plaque colonizers in vitro. Unwaxed dental floss was coated with ZnONPs and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to confirm nanoparticle formation and surface adsorption. Antibacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus mutans. Surface analysis showed uniform nanoparticle distribution on floss fibers, indicating successful coating. The ZnONPs-coated floss significantly reduced bacterial growth and demonstrated sustained antibiofilm activity against both organisms. These findings suggest that green-synthesized ZnONPs-enhanced floss offers improved interdental hygiene by combining mechanical plaque removal with antimicrobial action, presenting a promising alternative to conventional dental floss.