Anticaries Agents & Dentifrices: Essential Dental Products for Preventative Care
Helping our patients to maintain good oral hygiene is essential not only for a bright smile but also for their overall health. One of the most effective ways to prevent common dental issues, like cavities and plaque build-up, is by using the right dental products. Anticaries agents and dentifrices are key players in protecting the teeth from decay and maintaining a clean and healthy mouth. Fluoride-based products, which strengthen the enamel, and specialized toothpaste formulated to combat plaque are essential resources in safeguarding teeth from everyday challenges, thus helping patients maintain good oral health.
Read the following blog to explore anticaries agents and dentifrices, and discover how these essential dental products can protect your patients’ teeth from decay and plaque. From fluoride therapies to specialized toothpaste, you’ll find the best options to recommend for maintaining strong, healthy smiles.
What are Anti-caries agents?
Dental Caries is defined as an infectious microbiologic disease of the teeth that results in localized dissolution and destruction of the calcified tissues. Most commonly it presents as a cavity in the tooth. The cariogenic bacteria, mainly Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli, and others present in dental plaque break down dietary sugars to produce lactic acid on the tooth surface. Out of all, sucrose is the one that can easily be converted into acids by plaque bacteria. If this acid stays in contact with the tooth’s enamel for a sufficiently long period, it begins to erode the hydroxyapatite crystals leading to demineralization and ultimately destructing the tooth structure.
The agents that are used to prevent or treat dental caries or tooth decay are called anticaries agents. However, these agents cannot restore already-formed caries cavities in a tooth.
Types of Anti-caries agents:
Following are some major anticaries agents:
- Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to caries and has good antibacterial action.
- Antiplaque agents (mainly Chlorhexidine and triclosan) reduce the population of cariogenic bacteria.
Other preventative measures are:
a) Restriction of sugar-containing food
b) Frequent brushing of teeth
c) Prevention of xerostomia by good hydration and other measures, since dryness of mouth promotes caries.
A) Fluoride Therapy:
To reduce the incidence of dental caries, particularly among children, fluoride can either be administered systematically or applied locally to the teeth of patients.
Systematically administered fluoride:
Systemic administration of fluoride is usually under the government’s control and is indicated only in areas with established fluoride-deficient water supply. It is considered to have a concentration of 0.7- 1.0 p.p.m. fluoride is optimum for health. Both low as well as high fluoride content of drinking water is harmful. Fluoride supplementation is needed only to the extent that a deficit in drinking water is made good.
Topical fluoride:
Topical fluorides are an effective way to boost teeth’s resistance to cavities. When applied directly to the tooth surface, fluoride seeps into the outer layers of enamel, enhancing its strength. The effectiveness depends on the type of fluoride salt used, its concentration, and how long it remains in contact with the teeth.
Patients can be advised to use low-concentration fluoride products at home as part of their daily routine. Alternatively, dentists can apply high-concentration fluoride treatments every six months for additional protection.
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Fluoride toothpastes:
It is the simplest and commonly employed method of fluoride application. Most of the commercially marketed toothpastes now contain fluoride. The commonest salt added is sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP) at a concentration of 0.76%. Calcium salts included as abrasives in certain dentrifices inactivate sodium fluoride, while stannous fluoride can stain teeth. It is safe to recommend to patients a certain amount of this toothpaste without the fear of swallowing as not all of it will be ingested. However, it is advisable to warn parents of young infants and children about the dangers of swallowing even small amounts of fluoridated toothpaste to minimize the risk of having excess systemic fluoride. Thorough rinsing of the mouth should be advised after brushing with fluoridated toothpaste.
Additionally, fluoride compounds like sodium monofluorophosphate, sodium/ stannous fluoride are also added in many multi-ingredient desensitizing toothpastes to mitigate dentine sensitivity.
Fluoride toothpaste for you to prescribe: ICPA RA Thermoseal Rapid Action Fluoride Toothpaste, Dr. Denti Toothpaste Tablets – Fluoridated
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Fluoride mouth rinse:
Sodium fluoride(0.055%) or stannous fluoride (0.1%) solution has been used as a daily mouth rinse by susceptible patients to prevent caries. The patient should be advised to hold the rinse solution in mouth for 1-3 minutes swish around and then discard it. Food or drinks should be avoided for the next 30 minutes to minimize washing away of fluoride that is in contact with the teeth. Even though stannous fluoride is more effective than sodium fluoride, it can stain the teeth.
Fluoride mouth rinse for you to prescribe: ICPA Fluoritop Anti-Cavity Fluoride Mouthrinse
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Professionally applied fluoride:
Caries protective effect of fluoride can also be obtained by providing brief intensive exposure to the teeth by the dentist at relatively long intervals.
a) Acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF): This fluoride system is suitable for application to the teeth by the dentist and has been specifically developed to achieve high fluoride permeation into the enamel and thus afford prolonged caries protection. Formulated as a solution or gel, it contains 1.23% and 0.1M orthophosphoric acid; the pH is adjusted to about 3.0. Applications are generally repeated at 6-month intervals and the optimal duration of each application is 4 min.
APF for you to prescribe: Prevest Denpro Fluorotop APF
b) Fluoride varnishes: These are non-aqueous preparations that are not washed off by saliva and are retained on the teeth for longer. A 2% sodium fluoride lacquer in resin base or a polyurethane varnish containing 0.7% fluoride is painted over the teeth or applied to the cavity. The efficacy of these preparations is variable.
Fluoride varnishes for you to prescribe: GC Mi Varnish, Ivoclar FluorProtector S Fluoride
B) Antiplaque agents:
These agents help in inhibiting or preventing the formation of plaque on the teeth eventually reducing the incidence of caries and adding to the protection afforded by fluorides. The most commonly used agents are:
Chlorhexidine – Used mainly as a mouth rinse or gel reduces the population of Streptococcus mutans and other cariogenic bacteria. The risk of caries occurrence is reduced, but regular use causes staining of teeth.
Triclosan – Because it is non-irritant, tasteless, and nonstaining, it is included along with other active ingredients in many anticaries and antiplaque toothpaste and gels.
Antiplaque mouthwashes for you to prescribe: Dentaids Periex Chlorhexidine Mouthwash
Dentrifices:
Dentifrices are powders, pastes or gels used as hygiene aids for routine dental care during brushing. Dentifrices facilitate the cleaning of teeth and gums, improve their appearance, and control bad breath.
Types of Dentrifices:
- Therapeutic dentifrices- They must reduce some disease processes in the mouth such, as caries incidence, gingivitis, calculus formation, and tooth sensitivity.
- Cosmetic dentifrices- They are effective in the removal of extrinsic staining that occurs on tooth surfaces often the end product of bacterial metabolism, ranging from green to yellow to black color
Composition of Dentrifices:
| Component | % Added | Use | Example |
| Detergent | 1.2% | · To lower surface tension.· Penetrate and loosen surface deposits and strains· Emulsify debris for easy removal by the toothbrush
· Contribute to the foaming action |
Sodium lauryl sulphate |
| Cleaning and polishing | 20-40% | · A dentifrice may have a combination of agents in an abrasive system to accommodate both cleaning and polishing objectives.· Abrasive is used to clean.· A polishing agent is used to produce a smooth, shining tooth surface that resists discoloration, bacterial accumulation, and retention. | Calcium carbonate, calcium pyrophosphate, bicalcium phosphate |
| Binders | 1-2% | · To prevent separation of the solid and liquid ingredients during storage· Contribute to the stability and consistency of the toothpaste | Organic hydrophilic colloids, alginates, magnesium aluminum silicate, colloidal silica |
| Humectants | 20-40% | · These are added to retain moisture· Prevent hardening on exposure to air· To stabilize the preparation | Glycerin, sorbital |
| Preservatives | · To prevent bacterial growth and to prolong shelf life | Alcohols, formaldehyde, and dechlorinated phenols | |
| Sweetener | 2-3% | · To impart a pleasant flavor for the patient’s acceptance | Sorbitol and glycerin |
| Flavoring agent | 1-15% | · To make the dentifrices desirable· To mask other ingredients that may have a less pleasant flavor | Peppermint, cinnamon, menthol |
| Therapeutic agent | 1-2% | · For medicinal value | Fluoride |
| Coloring agent | 2-3% | · Added for attractiveness | |
| Water | 20-40% | · Main transport medium |
Dentifrices for you to prescribe: Dentaids Sentim SF Toothpaste, Colgate PerioGuard Toothpaste, Dr Denti Toothpaste Tablets – Fluoridated
Conclusion:
Maintaining strong oral health goes beyond just routine brushing and flossing; it’s about incorporating effective dental products that protect against decay and plaque. Anticaries agents and specialized dentifrices play a vital role in this journey, providing essential support in the fight against cavities and promoting overall well-being. By being informed about these products, you can empower your patients to take proactive steps towards healthier smiles.
At DentalKart, we’re dedicated to making dental care accessible and effective. Our platform is designed for dentists seeking the best dental products to help their patients thrive. From fluoride toothpaste to mouth rinses and beyond, you’ll find a wide array of products tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. With just a few clicks, you can explore a world of dental solutions that can enhance your practice and elevate the oral health of your patients at DentalKart!
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