Plaque minerals and dental caries

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Dental Research
• Mineral Metabolism

Background:

• Extracellular fluid in resting dental plaque is supersaturated with enamel mineral.
• Plaque fluid pH decreases significantly after sugar intake but rarely becomes unsaturated due to calcium (Ca2+) release acting as a saturation buffer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the theoretical consequences of repeated pH cycling on plaque mineral saturation.
• To explore the potential of artificial ion reservoir supplements to mitigate demineralization.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical considerations of ion depletion in plaque pools during repeated pH cycling.
• Modeling the impact of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride depletion on plaque fluid saturation.

Main Results:

• Repeated pH cycling may deplete calcium, phosphate, and fluoride pools within dental plaque.
• Depletion can lead to marked undersaturation of plaque fluid during subsequent pH drops.
• Undersaturated plaque fluid presents a high demineralization potential, increasing caries risk.

Conclusions:

• Plaque's natural ion reservoirs are crucial for maintaining enamel mineral saturation.
• Artificial supplementation of these ion reservoirs could delay plaque fluid undersaturation.
• Such supplementation may offer significant anti-caries effects by preventing demineralization.