Some Aspects of Dental Caries Prevention

Environmental factors play a leading role in the incidence of caries. The composition and properties of drinking water consumed by the population affect the health of the population in general, and the development of the dental system in particular. The undoubted factor that determines the incidence of caries is the level of fluoride in the environment, especially in water. The study of the effectiveness of fluoride continues for 70 years, and during this time a great deal of scientific and practical experience has been gained, and long-term results have been obtained at the population level. Today it is recognized that it is precisely the entry of optimal fluoride concentrations into the body, especially during the period of teeth formation that significantly affects the prevalence and intensity of dental caries. Numerous clinical studies have confirmed the remineralizing and anticariogenic effect of fluorides, which have a high level of scientific evidence. This level also corresponds to the evidence base on the efficacy and safety of systemic methods of fluoride prophylaxis (fluoridation of water, salt, milk, taking fluoride-containing tablets and drops), which provide a fairly high anti-caries effect (40-60%) at a low cost. The results of epidemiological and laboratory studies also indicate that the main role in preventing the occurrence of caries after teething is still local application of fluorides, the anti-caries effect of which is directly proportional to the duration of direct contact of fluoride ions with the surface of the tooth and their concentration in a preventive tool. According to the leading specialists in the field of dentistry, the success of caries prevention on a global scale has provided massive use of fluoride toothpastes for more than 50 years. Today there are also many other products on the market for using instead of or in addition to fluoride. These include hygiene products containing xylitol, chlorhexidine, and bioactive microcrystals containing hydroxyapatite, zinc, calcium phosphate and other components, as well as preparations for remineralization based on casein-phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate. Thus, the use of fluoride-containing oral hygiene products is an effective way to prevent dental caries. But today, it is relevant to develop and apply fluoride prophylaxis methods among various groups of the population depending on the degree of risk of caries, which will increase the effectiveness of prevention programs.