Technology for Preventing Cavities in Initial Caries

Initial caries is a condition in which minerals just below the surface of the tooth enamel begin to dissolve and the tooth decreases in density. A tooth in this condition is one step ahead from developing a cavity. Initial caries can be treated by placing fluoride into the tooth and promoting the remineralization using minerals in saliva. Many toothpastes on the market in Japan contain sodium fluoride (NaF) or sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP). The application of a two-drug toothpaste containing NaF on one side and MFP/calcium source on the other has been shown to be more effective in promoting remineralization of initial caries than conventional one-drug toothpastes.