There are many restrictions on topical medications for the oral cavity. Various factors affect the topical application of drugs in the oral cavity, an open and complex environment. The complex physical and chemical environment of the oral cavity, such as saliva and food, will influence the effect of free drugs. Therefore, drug delivery systems have served as supporting structures or as carriers loading active ingredients, such as antimicrobial agents and growth factors (GFs), to promote antibacterial properties, tissue regeneration, and engineering for drug diffusion. These drug delivery systems are considered in the prevention and treatment of dental caries, periodontal disease, periapical disease, the delivery of anesthetic drugs, etc. These carrier materials are designed in different ways for clinical application, including nanoparticles, hydrogels, nanofibers, films, and scaffolds. This review aimed to summarize the advantages and disadvantages of different carrier materials. We discuss synthesis methods and their application scope to provide new perspectives for the development and preparation of more favorable and effective local oral drug delivery systems.

The aim of the current study was to explore the factors influencing dental caries among 3–5-year-old children in Sichuan Province and the interrelationship between these factors using structural equation modelling (SEM). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2746 3–5-year-old children in Sichuan Province. Examination of caries was conducted on all children and a questionnaire was answered by the children’s caregiver. SEM alternative models were constructed to interpret the intricate relationships between socio-economic status (SES), caregiver’s oral health knowledge, attitudes, children’s oral health behaviours and children’s dental caries. The results showed that dental caries were significantly associated with dietary behaviours (β = 0.11, SE = 0.03, P = 0.001, BC 95% CI =0.05/0.18) and SES (β = − 0.17, SE = 0.03, P<0.001, BC 95% CI = -0.23/− 0.10) directly, While the indirect effect of SES on dmft is in an opposite direction (β = 0.08, SE = 0.02, BC 95% CI = 0.04/0.12). We found that unhealthy dietary behaviours increased the prevalence of dental caries. However, oral health knowledge and attitude failed to affect dietary behaviour in this model. This result warns that oral health education should strengthen feeding-related knowledge. Meanwhile, it also reminds that it is easier known than done. Future oral health education should focus on exploring a more effective way for the public to turn knowledge into action.

Summary: Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) effectively utilizes dietary sucrose for the exopolysaccharide productions, which are mostly synthesized by the effects of glucosyltransferases (Gtfs). In the present study, the acetylome of S. mutans was identified and quantitative acetylome analysis of the bacterial biofilm growth (SMB) was compared with that of planktonic growth (SMP). The dynamic changes of protein acetylation were quantified using the integrated approach involving TMT labeling and Kac affinity enrichment followed by high‐resolution mass spectrometry‐based quantitative proteomics. In total, 973 acetylation sites in 445 proteins were identified, among which 617 acetylation sites in 302 proteins were quantitated. The overall analysis indicated that 22.7% of proteins were acetylated. Among the quantified proteins in SMB, the acetylation degree of lysine in 56 sites increased, while that of lysine decreased in 52 sites. In the acetylome of S. mutans , six significantly enriched motifs were identified and obtained including Kac****K, KacF, Kac****R, KacY, KacH, F*Kac. In addition, KEGG pathway‐based enrichment analysis indicated significant enrichments in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and RNA degradation. Particularly, most downregulated acetylated lysine proteins were glucosyltransferase‐SI, glucosyltransferase‐I, and glucosyltransferase‐S in S. mutans biofilm, which probably reveals a switch‐off mechanism for the regulation of glucosyltransferases function during the biofilm development.