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Goal of process is restoring mineralsDear Dr Reitz: My dentist put me on a program of tooth re-mineralization to help prevent additional tooth decay. The plan is to apply fluoride varnish after my regular prophy and to use a special calcium-containing toothpaste between visits. Has this process been found to be effective? - Ray Dear Ray: Tooth decay is a complex process that we are just beginning to understand. Tooth re-mineralization is an attempt at stopping any beginning areas of decay by supplying the teeth with calcium, phosphate and fluoride. Sugar is always blamed for causing tooth decay, but actually it is acid produced by oral bacteria that dissolves the minerals from teeth. Sugar provides the food supply for the bacteria. Your tooth enamel is a crystal composed of calcium, phosphate and water. The surface of teeth will either gain or lose these building blocks depending on conditions in your mouth. Saliva contains dissolved calcium and phosphate that is constantly exchanged with the surface of the teeth. One of saliva's jobs is to maintain tooth structure by neutralizing oral acid, preventing demineralization, and supplying calcium and phosphate to replace any loss of tooth structure. Fluoride helps to facilitate the uptake of calcium and phosphate into the teeth. In addition when the fluoride replaces a calcium ion in the rebuilding process, the tooth is more resistant to the next acid attack. Some mouths are more susceptible to decay because of genetics, medical conditions and medications that reduce saliva flow. The first sign of demineralization appears like white patches on the tooth. This usually occurs between and at the necks of the teeth, where bacteria accumulate. When demineralization continues to occur faster than re-mineralization, the enamel collapses and a cavity results. The program of tooth re-mineralization makes calcium, phosphate and fluoride available to the saliva to help in tooth rebuilding. Only recent technology has found a way to make calcium and phosphate available in a form that can be utilized by the tooth for re-mineralization. Products now available such as Dr. Collins Restore Remineralizing Toothpaste contain calcium and phosphate, and Age Defying by Arm and Hammer contains calcium and phosphate with the addition of fluoride. Toothpaste with re-mineralization agents, applying fluoride varnish to your teeth after a dental prophy and good oral hygiene are the most effective methods of stopping tooth decay. The column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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