A Mini Review of Functional Hydrogels for the Treatment of Oral Diseases: Opportunities and Future Prospects

Oral health represents a cornerstone of systemic health. Driven by diverse dietary structures and lifestyle habits, nearly everyone is affected by common oral diseases, including oral ulcers, tooth discoloration, and dental caries, etc. However, limited by the inherent properties of conventional oral biomaterials, existing clinical treatments still suffer from insufficient reliability and stability, leaving substantial clinical demands unmet. In recent years, functional hydrogels have aroused widespread interest in the biomedical field owing to their favorable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and tunable mechanical properties, exhibiting promising application potential in oral disease treatment. This paper reviews the recent progress of functional hydrogels in the treatment of oral diseases, with emphasis on their working mechanisms and therapeutic outcomes. Lastly, the current challenges and future opportunities of functional hydrogels in oral clinical applications are also critically discussed. This work is expected to provide valuable guidance for the design and development of innovative therapeutic strategies for oral diseases.