Abstract
Teeth are designed to be indestructable due to the lack of metabolic turnover after they are formed. However, mankind has been plagued by tooth decay as early as 5000 B.C., as evidenced by Sumerian texts that describe "tooth worms" as a cause of dental decay. The 1700s saw dentistry arise and establish itself as a profession. Three hundred years later, dentistry seems to be at its peak. We have access to a state of the art collection of materials, treatment options, equipment, and training that only seems to get better every year. Widespread use of community water fluoridation and the addition of fluoride to oral hygiene products was started about 75 years ago. This has been recognized as one of the most effective public health achievements of our country in the 20th century. It's an inexpensive, safe, and efficient way to prevent tooth decay, especially in underserved communities. Despite all these developments, and the fact that it is a preventable disease, dental caries has continued to be a major global epidemic
Recommended Citation
(2025)
"Current Developments in Cariology,"
Membership Matters: Vol. 30:
Iss.
3, Article 2.
Available at:
https://commons.ada.org/membership-matters/vol30/iss3/2