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Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in rock, air, soil, plants and water and may assist by: Potentially repairing early white spot lesions found on the tooth surface that may develop into cavities. [citation needed] And a reduction in cavities may result in the following downstream benefits:
Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol, is another ingredient that she recommends to patients prone to cavities. “It helps prevent the cavity causing bacteria from producing acid, which in turn ...
Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) [1] is a method for cleaning out tooth decay (dental caries) from teeth using only hand instruments (dental hatchet and spoon-excavator) and placing a filling. It does not use rotary dental instruments ( dental drills ) to prepare the tooth and can be performed in settings with no access to dental equipment.
[1] [3] Tooth regeneration is an ongoing stem cell–based field of study that aims to find methods to reverse the effects of decay; current methods are based on easing symptoms. The cause of cavities is acid from bacteria dissolving the hard tissues of the teeth (enamel, dentin and cementum). [4]
These microorganisms all occur naturally in the oral cavity and are normally harmless. However, failure to remove plaque by regular tooth-brushing allows them to proliferate unchecked and thereby build up in a thick layer, which can by virtue of their ordinary metabolism cause any of various dental diseases for the host.
Acid erosion is a type of tooth wear.It is defined as the irreversible loss of tooth structure due to chemical dissolution by acids not of bacterial origin. [1] Dental erosion is the most common chronic condition of children ages 5–17, [2] although it is only relatively recently that it has been recognised as a dental health problem. [3]
Fluoride in various forms is the most popular and effective active ingredient in toothpaste to prevent cavities. [12] Fluoride is present in small amounts in plants, animals, and some natural water sources. The additional fluoride in toothpaste has beneficial effects on the formation of dental enamel and bones.
Fluoride exerts its major effect by interfering with the demineralization mechanism of tooth decay. Tooth decay is an infectious disease, the key feature of which is an increase within dental plaque of bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. These produce organic acids when carbohydrates, especially sugar, are eaten. [85]