Oral care nanoparticle compositions and methods

A method of treating a dental condition in the oral cavity of a subject, comprising

• providing a concentrated nanoparticle additive composition for treating or preventing a dental condition, the additive composition comprising:
• spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles having a particle size and a particle size distribution and/or coral-shaped metal nanoparticles having a particle size and a particle size distribution, wherein the metal nanoparticles are uncoated;
• and
• a stabilizing agent,
• wherein the nanoparticle additive composition is formulated for application to tooth surfaces,
• wherein the nanoparticle additive composition is not a reductant composition,
• wherein the nanoparticle additive composition is configured to be addable to a carrier suitable for application to tooth surfaces, the spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles and/or the coral-shaped metal nanoparticles having concentrations that prevent agglomeration of the nanoparticles prior to contact with the carrier while maintaining effective concentrations after addition to the carrier,
• adding the nanoparticle additive composition to a carrier to form a final dental care composition in the form of a liquid, mouth spray, mouth wash gel, paste, foam, or solid;
• and
• administering the dental care composition to tooth surfaces in the oral cavity of the subject in the form of a liquid, gel, paste, foam, or solid, and wherein the dental care composition is not administered as a spray,
• wherein the dental care composition is formulated so that application of the dental care composition to the tooth surfaces adjusts the pH level at tooth surface microenvironments to a target pH level or range.

A stable, 1-part dental care composition for treating or preventing a dental condition in the oral cavity of a subject, the composition comprising:

• spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles having a particle size and a particle size distribution, wherein the metal nanoparticles are exposed and uncoated;
• and
• a carrier in which the spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles are dispersed so as to form a single part dental care composition formulated to treat or prevent the dental condition;
• wherein the dental care composition is provided in the form of a dentifrice, chewable tablet, lozenge, dental implement, or denture cleaning solution to bring the spherical-shaped metal nanoparticles into contact with tooth surfaces, wherein the dental care composition is not a spray, and
• wherein the dental care composition is formulated so that application of the dental care composition to the tooth surfaces adjusts the pH level at tooth surface microenvironments to a target pH level in a range of about 6.5 to about 7.25.