Ongoing Balance
Preventive strategies enhance protective factors and reduce pathologic factors. Disease can be halted and early lesions remineralized.
Caries & Demineralization
- Caries is a dynamic process involving many protective factors and pathologic factors.
- Teeth undergo cycles of demineralization and remineralization.
- Strategies to aid in preventing or reversing the caries process and tip the balance towards "no caries" include:
- Delay colonization of pathogenic bacteria by providing preventive care and treatment for mothers.
- Limit demineralization by decreasing frequency of dietary carbohydrate consumption.
- Make teeth more resistant to acid through use of fluoride. Tooth remineralization is enhanced with use of fluoride topically (toothpaste and varnish) and systemically (water and oral supplements).
References
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Caries-risk assessment and management for infants, children, and adolescents. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago, Ill.: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2022:266-72
Rechmann P, Kinsel R, Featherstone JDB. Integrating Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) and Prevention Strategies Into the Contemporary Dental Practice. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2018; 39(4): 226-233.
Featherstone JD. The caries balance: the basis for caries management by risk assessment. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2004; 2 Suppl 1:259-64.
Featherstone JDB, Crystal YO, Alston P, Chaffee BW, Doméjean S, Rechmann P, Zhan L, Ramos-Gomez F. Evidence-Based Caries Management for All Ages - Practical Guidelines. Front Oral Health. 2021 Apr 27;2:657518. doi: 10.3389/froh.2021.657518.