Understanding dental caries as a non-communicable disease

Area of Science:

• Oral health
• Microbiology
• Public health policy

Background:

• Recent scientific advancements provide a new understanding of dental caries initiation and progression.
• Understanding of the oral microbiome highlights the balance between protective and pathological factors.
• Dental caries is increasingly recognized as a non-communicable disease (NCD) with shared risk factors with other chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To reframe the understanding of dental caries based on current scientific developments.
• To emphasize the shift in caries management from microbial eradication to biofilm ecology control.
• To highlight the public health implications of classifying caries as an NCD.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on dental caries and oral microbiome.
• Analysis of risk factors and protective elements in the oral environment.
• Examination of the classification of dental caries as a non-communicable disease.

Main Results:

• Caries initiation and progression are better understood through microbiome dynamics and risk factor balance.
• Effective caries control involves managing the intraoral biofilm ecology to counteract low pH from sugar consumption.
• Dental caries is now classified as an NCD, necessitating policy changes and integrated prevention strategies.

Conclusions:

• Caries prevention and management should focus on balancing the oral biofilm rather than eliminating specific microbes.
• Classifying caries as an NCD opens opportunities for integrated prevention strategies with other chronic diseases.
• Addressing social determinants of health is crucial for caries prevention and promoting health equity.