Title: Unlocking the power of saliva: Strategies for caries management and prevention
Abstract:
As our understanding of oral biology evolves, so does our approach to caries management. Caries is a lifelong, progressive disease. Traditionally, the dental approach to caries management focused on repairing the damage and destruction of tooth structure using restorative materials. Nowadays, caries management goes beyond restoration and embraces a biological approach, aiming to repair damaged tooth structure through remineralization rather than simply replacing lost tissue. Saliva plays a fundamental role in this process. Understanding the quality, quantity, and buffering capacity of saliva, as well as their relationship with patients lifestyles, can provide more effective and personalized solutions for achieving and maintaining long- term oral health.
