Prevention of Dental Caries beyond Fluorides

Dental caries is defined as a bacterial disease of calcified tissue of teeth and is characterized by demineralization of the inorganic and destruction of the organic substance of the tooth. The caries process is a continuous process resulting from an imbalance between many cycles of demineralization and remineralization rather than unidirectional demineralization process. The caries result from the interplay of three main factors over time; dietary carbohydrates, cariogenic bacteria within dental plaque and susceptible hard tooth surface. The efforts have been made continuously to eradicate dental caries but it is still widespread. The point to be taken into consideration is that if carious lesion is non-cavitated, it can be reversed or arrested chemically. Why to go non- fluoride strategies? Fluoride's effect is limited on pit and fissure caries. A high-fluoride strategy can lead to adverse effects. Non fluoride agents like arginine, probiotics, novamin, dentifrices, chlorophyll, plant extracts, propolis, xylitol, anti- enzyme paste, anti microbials, chlorohexidine, CPP-ACP etc. may serve as adjunctive therapeutics for preventing, arresting or even reversing dental caries.