Cavities
PRESENT SITUATION
The World Health Organization estimates that nearly all adults will have cavities at some point in time.1 In baby teeth, it affects about 620 million people or 9% of the population.2
WHY DO WE GET CAVITIES?
When sugar and carbohydrates enter in contact with our teeth, the bacteria responsible of cavities (Streptococcus mutans) begin creating lactic acid, which lowers the oral pH into an acidic zone (below 5.9). A pH level at this level brings many issues:
• Process of tooth enamel's dissolving is initiated
• Enamel become unproteced from bacteria
• Decrease of salivary flow (dry mouth)
• Increase of bad breath
• Nourishment of oral fungi
At the same time, dental plaque is forming on the teeth. Also named biofilm, it represents a dangerous bacterial colonies that stick on the enamel. The mouth then becomes a food reservoir for Streptococcus mutans, the cavity-causing decay bacteria.
This quickly leads to lesions, and often cavital lesions (cavities).
HOW CAN CAVITIES BE MANAGED?
This graphic represents the evolution of the cavity process. In the red zone, a dental professional would normally begin considering treating the cavity with a regular restoration (drilling into the tooth to remove the cavity, then filling up the hole with a restorative material to build up the tooth).
However, today, the new medical modal of caries management shows that the majority of enamel lesions and 60% of caries that extend further into the dentin can be remineralized with home-care solutions.3
Please look below to discover the most effective and evidence-based home-care preventive and remineralizing products against cavities.
