Emerging Science in the Dietary Control and Prevention of Dental Caries

ABSTRACT

The key environmental factor involved in caries incidence is fermentable carbohydrates. Because of the high costs of caries treatment, researchers continue to explore dietary control as a promising preventive method. While dietary change has been demonstrated to reduce Streptococcus mutans, a preventive role is expected for “functional foods” and dietary habit alterations. The authors consider how recent advances in the understanding of caries pathology can reveal dietary control as a valuable method in promoting a healthy dentition.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mahmoud Al-Dajani

Mahmoud Al-Dajani, DDS, MSC, PHD, is a resident of the Dental Public Health Program, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.

Hardy Limeback

Hardy Limeback, PHD, DDS, is a professor and head of preventive dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure: None reported.