[Series: Caries prevention in a historical perspective. Food]

Area of Science:

• Oral health
• Dental research
• Nutritional science

Background:

• Historical understanding of dental caries etiology has evolved.
• Early theories focused on nutrient deficiencies during tooth formation.
• Current research emphasizes post-eruptive dietary factors.

Observation:

• Modern research emphasizes the role of dietary patterns post-tooth eruption.
• The frequency of food and beverage intake is a critical factor.
• Consumption of rapidly degradable carbohydrates strongly correlates with caries development.

Findings:

• The primary drivers of dental caries are now understood to be dietary habits after tooth eruption.
• Specifically, the frequency of eating/drinking and the intake of fermentable carbohydrates are paramount.
• The initial theory linking nutrient deficits during tooth formation to caries susceptibility has been largely discredited.

Implications:

• Public health strategies for caries prevention must prioritize dietary counseling on eating frequency and carbohydrate intake.
• The effectiveness of fluoride toothpaste in caries prevention raises questions about the continued necessity of traditional nutrition education.
• Further research may be needed to integrate dietary guidance with modern preventive measures like fluoride treatments.