PHILADELPHIA, US: According to research, dental caries is the most prevalent and costly biofilm-induced oral disease. Fluoride as the primary anti-cariogenic agent cannot both sufficiently control biofilm and prevent enamel demineralisation and can lead to risks associated with overexposure to fluoride, especially in children. However, a recent study has shown that using a combination of an iron oxide nanoparticle (ferumoxytol, Fer) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and stannous fluoride (SnF2), even at lower concentrations, can help inhibit both biofilm accumulation and enamel damage. The study has the potential to prevent dental caries and to reduce fluoride exposure in patients.