Dental Caries: Unveiling the State-of-the-Art Insights and Crafting Hypotheses for Oral Health.

ABSTRACT

The pathophysiological understanding of dental caries explains that the primary factor responsible is linked to an imbalance in microbial composition within the oral cavity, stemming from both artificial and natural sources. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most accountable and prevalent pathogen for caries development among the diverse pool. S. mutans, an acidogenic bacterium, lowers oral pH through the metabolic conversion of dietary sugar into organic acids, leading to enamel demineralization and dental caries. Numerous antibacterial interventions have been employed in the past to address this issue. However, adopting such an approach poses the risk of exacerbating concerns related to Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and long-term oral cytotoxicity. In response to this, a sustainable strategy is suggested, involving the utilization of L-Arginine (L-Arg) as a probiotic nutrient supplement for non-pathogenic microbes. It will help in creating a natural competitive environment against the pathogenic microbes responsible for initiating dental caries. The hypothesis involves utilizing a combination of a nutrient supplement and the repurposed drug Piceatannol, specifically for its anti-biofilm properties. This combination synergistically improves the effectiveness of the therapy by converting the complex microbial biofilm into a planktonic state.