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Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Systematic Approach to Identify Novel Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules from Plants' Extracts and Fractions to Prevent Dental Caries
Published on: March 31, 2021
Focus on the cariogenic process: microbial and biochemical interactions with teeth and oral environment
G Dipalma1, A D Inchingolo1, F Inchingolo1
1Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Dentistry Unit, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
Abstract:
This paper aims to describe the biochemical interactions between teeth and the oral environment that occur during the caries process, hence it covers all the steps related to physico-chemical reactions, including the most up-to-date theoretical basis in the clinical application for the prevention and treatment of caries. The terms 'demineralization' and 'remineralization' that characterise this process were analysed, as well as the role of the microbiota in its interaction with the hard surface of the teeth. The biochemical mechanisms that lead to the onset of carious lesions and those that occur during the healing and repair of such lesions are listed.
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