Brushing and Flossing Habits Set the Baseline
Regular mechanical plaque removal is the first line of defense.
- 2x/day: Recommended brushing (fluoride toothpaste)
- Interproximal: Flossing benefit (reaches between teeth)
- ~24-72h: Plaque maturation (undisturbed biofilm)
- Remineralizes: Fluoride effect (strengthens enamel)
Why hygiene frequency matters
Placeholder: brushing disrupts biofilm before acid damage accumulates.
Sugar Frequency Outweighs Total Sugar Amount
Each sugary exposure triggers a fresh acid attack cycle.
- ~20-30 min: Acid attack window (per exposure)
- Frequency: Key factor (not just quantity)
- Sipping/snacking: High-risk pattern (constant exposure)
- Meal-timed sugar: Safer pattern (fewer acid cycles)
Exposure frequency drives risk
Placeholder: more daily sugar exposures mean more cumulative acid time.
Streptococcus mutans Ferments Sugar into Acid
Plaque bacteria metabolize sugars, producing organic acid.
- S. mutans: Key species (primary cariogenic bacterium)
- Lactic acid: Byproduct (lowers plaque pH)
- ~5.5: Critical pH (enamel dissolves below this)
- Acid shield: Biofilm role (traps acid at surface)
Fermentation mechanism
Placeholder: bacterial glycolysis converts sugar substrate into enamel-dissolving acid.
Cumulative Acid Exposure Erodes Enamel
Repeated pH drops slowly dissolve mineral from enamel.
- White spot: Early sign (subsurface demineralization)
- Yes: Reversible stage (with fluoride and reduced sugar)
- Irreversible: Cavitation (once surface collapses)
- De- vs re-mineralization: Balance (determines outcome)
Progression to cavitation
Placeholder: sustained acid exposure outpaces saliva-driven remineralization.
Combining Hygiene and Diet into a Risk Tier
Low, medium, or high risk guides recall scheduling.
- 12 months: Low risk recall (good hygiene, low sugar)
- 6 months: Medium risk recall (mixed habits)
- 3 months: High risk recall (poor hygiene, high sugar)
- 2 factors: Model inputs (hygiene + diet sliders)
How risk class is derived
Placeholder: risk score blends protection level against acid exposure level.
Placeholder: use this simplified score as an educational guide, not diagnosis.