Natural Anti-cariogenic Agents

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Tooth decay is primarily caused by demineralization resulting from acids secreted by bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus, which ferment dietary carbohydrates. This occurs in plaque biofilms, which attach to the surfaces of the tooth and become laden with bacteria. Thus, over time, dental caries result from the interaction of three main contributing factors: a diet containing carbohydrates, cariesproducing bacteria, as well as sensitive tooth structure. The use of an antibacterial strategy for treating caries has evolved as a result of (1) identifying certain types of the oral microbiome as the main cariogenic flora and (2) increasing the knowledge of the specific ecology of these cariogenic florae. Combined with this concept, control, and prevention of caries have been sought by reducing the number of bacteria colonizing. Reducing bacterial populations or completely eradicating them from the oral flora would provide an additional reason to prevent dental caries. Several undesirable sideeffects of conventional antimicrobial agents include tooth discoloration and the emergence of bacterial resistance. These side effects stimulate the search for alternative natural anti-microbial agents.