Definitive methods exist to completely prevent tooth decay
the verdict
REFUTED
the evidence says no
refutedsupported
the weight of evidence
4 sources for · 1 against
While various oral hygiene practices and public health interventions significantly reduce the risk and prevalence of tooth decay, evidence shows that the condition remains highly prevalent globally and lacks a guaranteed method for absolute, complete prevention.
<h4>Background</h4>Tooth decay in secondary school children is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in the UK and globally. Whilst almost entirely preventable, oral health inequalities remain a significant public health problem to reach and manage those most vulnerable. School-based prevention strategies targeted to localities with oral health inequality, and incorporating peer-to-peer interventions warrant further evaluation. These peer-to-peer interventions have a bidirectional benefit and are proposed to positively influence both the 'peer leader' and 'peer recipient'; they rely on shared cultural backgrounds and relatability to reach students that may be missed by typical healthcare professional-led interventions. This protocol describes a feasibility trial which aims to establish RAISED in Yorkshire with its peer-to-peer delivery model within the secondary school setting supported by newly qualified dentists as an effective and sustainable approach to improve oral health awareness, skills (toothbrushing) and behaviours in adolescents from underserved at-risk communities.<h4>Methods</h4>This is a UK school-based, assessor-blinded, parallel two-arm randomised controlled feasibility trial with a preliminary interim assessment in advance of progression to a larger scale trial in the future. The trial aims to recruit n = ~240 11-13-year-old participants and n = ~50 16-18-year-old peer leaders across five schools/colleges in West Yorkshire. The primary outcomes are related to feasibility in terms of recruitment and retention of participants, and the ability to deliver the intervention. The secondary outcomes include the oral health of participants (knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, plaque and gingival index) and process evaluation.<h4>Discussion</h4>The findings of the feasibility trial will dictate whether the project is scalable and can be delivered to multiple schools regionally and nationally. The findings will also show whether it is an effectiv
If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ . Abstract Background Tooth decay in secondary school children is one of the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in the UK and globally. Whilst almost entirely preventable, oral health inequalities remain a significant public health problem to reach and manage those most vulnerable.
Keywords: Caries prevention, Behaviour change, Peer-led intervention, School involvement, Career aspiration, Health promotion status released display-pdf yes is-olf no is-manuscript no is-preprint no is-journal-matter no is-scanned no is-retracted no Received 2024 Nov 15; Accepted 2026 Mar 7; Collection date 2026. Background Whilst largely preventable, untreated tooth decay affects more than 3 billion people worldwide [ 1 ]. Results of the most recent Oral Health Survey of year 6 children in England demonstrated that approximately one-fifth of children start secondary school with an average of two teeth having tooth decay [ 2 ].
The report showed that the children from the most deprived regions of England were twice as likely to experience tooth decay than those from the least deprived regions of the country [ 2 ]. Additionally, the UK Children’s Dental Health survey demonstrated an increasing percentage of tooth decay with age; reporting that 43% of 12-year-olds suffered tooth decay followed by 46% of 15-year-olds [ 3 ]. Tooth decay in children presents a considerable health and social burden [ 2 – 4 ].
Research involving 11–13-year-old schoolchildren from deprived areas across the UK found that 34.7% had tooth decay in their permanent teeth, with about half of them reporting that their oral health impacted on their day-to-day activities [ 5 ]. Additionally, the Children’s Dental Health Survey data showed that 58% of 12-year-olds and 45% of 15-year-olds reported the impact of their tooth and mouth problems on their daily lives [ 3 , 6 ].
This impact is found to be associated with sociodemographic background, affecting not only the children themselves in terms of poor school attendance and performance but consequently leading to wider impacts on their parents, family and society as a whole [ 7 , 8 ]. Furthermore, tooth decay constitutes a serious financial burden on the National Health Service in the UK, in 2015–2016 £50.5 million was spent on hospital tooth extractions for children aged 0–19 years [ 4 ].
Tooth decay is almost entirely preventable yet research involving children aged 11–12 years from deprived areas in the North of England, Scotland and Wales showed over one-third had tooth decay in their
The goal is to increase biological understanding of the association of specific harmful bugs and dental decay and improve understanding of the importance of toothbrushing to remove harmful bugs. In summary, RiY provides age-appropriate, curriculum aligned, interactive sessions designed to provide knowledge and skills on the importance of maintaining oral health and reinforcement that covers the science behind tooth decay delivered by RiY trained peer leaders with the ultimate goal to empower young people towards lasting change in oral health behaviour.
The first session delivers the main RiY intervention that expands on the national curriculum topics and the second session is the YUK-Oral Bug reinforcement on the science behind tooth decay introducing the oral microbiome and the importance of toothbrushing. The control group will receive only the standard school curriculum on dental health delivered by schoolteachers. After collection of RiY post intervention follow-up data, the control group will receive a delayed main RiY intervention session, delivered by RiY-peer leaders or teachers depending on timetable availability.
<h4>Aim</h4>To consolidate clinical and scientific evidence and develop personalised recommendations for the optimal use of interdental devices, addressing the diverse needs of patients with varying oral health conditions based on the outcomes of an expert meeting.<h4>Material and methods</h4>A round table meeting was convened, gathering nine qualified experts from various European countries, including clinicians and researchers. Through tailored pre-formulated questions and facilitated group discussions, well-defined clinical recommendations and considerations for future research were developed, addressing general guidelines and specific interdental hygiene recommendations alongside potential barriers to implementation.<h4>Results</h4>General advice emphasises toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste and integrating interdental cleaning into daily routines. Depending on early clinical signs and symptoms of caries and periodontal disease, interdental cleaning should become a consistent part of daily care. In general, interdental brushes are the preferred option. However, specific recommendations address conditions such as gingivitis, periodontitis, dental implants, caries, removable prostheses and orthodontic treatments. Recommendations also highlight various age groups, emphasising personalised approaches and prioritising interdental cleaning based on clinical indicators. In addition to the clinical situation, individual preferences and dexterity should be considered. For example, non-wired interdental cleaning devices may be more suitable for novice users, while an oral irrigator may be recommended for those with limited dexterity-for example, older adults or patients with special needs.<h4>Discussion and conclusion</h4>Barriers to implementing interdental cleaning recommendations must be explored to provide practical solutions for the general population and dental care professionals. Strategies should include developing easily translatable educational content endor
ABSTRACT Aim To consolidate clinical and scientific evidence and develop personalised recommendations for the optimal use of interdental devices, addressing the diverse needs of patients with varying oral health conditions based on the outcomes of an expert meeting. Material and Methods A round table meeting was convened, gathering nine qualified experts from various European countries, including clinicians and researchers .
These issues can affect food intake, potentially leading to adverse nutritional consequences, and can negatively impact self‐esteem and overall quality of life. Both conditions have mutual risk factors, including the presence of a biofilm (dental plaque) [ 1 ]. Caries, or tooth decay, occurs when there is an imbalance in the ongoing cycle of demineralisation and remineralisation in tooth enamel. This situation occurs when organic acids produced by cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque interact with fermentable carbohydrates (primarily sugars), leading to demineralisation [ 2 ].
This advice may be given if early signs of tooth decay or periodontal diseases are present, and it can be provided at a young age or later in life. For instance, research suggests that gingivitis tends to become more apparent around puberty, likely due to changes in plaque composition, immune response, gingival morphology and hormonal shifts associated with this period [ 45 ]. From an epidemiological perspective, a significant portion of the population should start interdental cleaning in the permanent dentition if early signs of tooth decay or periodontal diseases occur from around the age of 18–20. 3.2.4 How Can Dental Professionals Motivate and Increase Patient Adherence?
However, the existing evidence is heterogeneous regarding methods and results [ 70 , 71 ]. Low‐quality evidence exists for the benefit of any one‐to‐one oral hygiene advice [ 72 ], and there are mixed results for motivational interviewing [ 73 , 74 ]. In addition, some interventions draw more on general psychotherapy models than prevention [ 75 ] or address other risk factors such as smoking [ 76 ]. In general, active interventions seem to be helpful, and inter‐individual differences seem to matter to a certain degree [ 77 ].
In cases of mental diseases, cooperation is required between dental professionals and mental health specialists. 3.2.4.3 How Do Individual Choose an Approach for Behaviour Change? A Practical Primer Considering the various approaches to behaviour change mentioned above [ 81 ], and with studies showing that different approaches or devices often affect subjective feelings more than tooth‐related outcomes, guided choice may enhance adherence through improved self‐efficacy or self‐control.
Sälzer et al.'s (2015) [ 13 ] meta‐review on the efficacy of interdental mechanical plaque control in managing gingivitis provided the underlying evidence for the recommendations of the European Federation for Periodontology [ 3 ]. The authors' synthesis of systematic reviews concluded that interdental cleaning with interdental brushes is the most effective method. In contrast, most of the included studies did not provide substantial evidence supporting the general effectiveness of flossing in plaque removal.
However, notable gaps exist in the evidence for the most effective self‐performed oral hygiene practices regarding dental implants. Current home care recommendations rely on available knowledge related to natural tooth‐care [ 109 ]. Distinct anatomic features of marginal gingival tissues compared to natural teeth introduce complexities. Furthermore, implant position, diameter, mucosal emergence depth and diverse implant‐supported prosthetic designs are considered important factors for oral hygiene considerations for dental implants.
These conditions can encompass factors at the level of an individual tooth or implant, within the oral cavity (e.g., orthodontics), or among specific patient groups (e.g., children, geriatrics). Screening for
<h4>Background</h4>One of the most common injuries in the jaw and face area is cleft lip and palate, which causes an increase in the size, shape and time of formation and growth of teeth. Early detection of the number of missing teeth and paying attention to the size, shape and number of the remaining teeth is one of the goals of this study.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>The present study investigated the issue by reviewing 45 articles with keywords including "Supernumerary teeth", "Cleft lip", "Palate", "Orthopantomo graphic" and "Hospital Infection" in 2012 to 2024.<h4>Results</h4>The most common abnormality was hypoxemia, followed by malocclusion and hyperemia. The most cases of hypoxemia were observed in bilateral cleft lip and palate, and the lowest cases were found in single cleft lip. Many problems that arise in the mouth and teeth can be solved by observing health and care tips and also by teaching children how to brush their teeth correctly, but one of the things that is necessary and necessary for children's health is regular and periodic dental visits. In these visits, many oral and dental problems are revealed and they can be solved before more problems occur and high dental costs can be avoided. One of the problems of extra teeth in children is that if it is identified in the early stages, it can be treated and damage to other teeth can be prevented.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Extra teeth may cause delayed growth or non-growth of adjacent teeth. In addition, excessive retention of baby teeth, deformation of the roots of adjacent permanent teeth, displacement of teeth, creation of an unnatural distance between teeth, root erosion of adjacent teeth, or the formation of cysts around extra teeth can be among the complications that occur in the presence of teeth. They encountered extra.
Japan's aging population faces a significant gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, during which many older adults require long-term care and are at high risk of aspiration pneumonia, a leading cause of death. Aspiration pneumonia arises from the interaction of saliva-borne bacteria, aspiration events, and immune decline. Toothbrushing, while essential for oral health, may transiently increase bacterial counts, especially in those unable to rinse or gargle. Combining brushing with moisturizing gel and povidone-iodine gel effectively suppresses bacterial load, reducing pneumonia risk. Tailored oral care based on swallowing function, along with maintaining oral function through dental treatment, is crucial to prevent aspiration pneumonia in older adults requiring nursing care. This review highlights that increased salivary bacterial load, a key factor in pneumonia risk, is more strongly linked to reduced oral function (e.g., decreased tongue pressure and swallowing ability) than to poor oral hygiene alone.
Fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to drinking water in order to prevent tooth decay. This article describes commercially available fluorides, optimum fluoride concentrations, and fluoride maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). The particular fluorides covered are sodium fluoride, hydrofluosilicic acid, and sodium silicofluoride. Physical and chemical properties of each are discussed.
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