Advances in Dental Research, Vol 8, 208-214, Copyright © 1994 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Non-fluoride anticaries agents
G. C. Forward
SmithKline Beecham Research and Technical Services Centre, Weybridge, Surrey, UK.
Many potential anticaries agents other than fluoride have been identified
in a range of laboratory models. This review covers only those agents which
have demonstrated significant activity in either animal caries models, in
situ models, or human clinical trials, including those measuring plaque
acid formation. The agents which so far have been identified can be divided
into 5 categories: (1) phosphorus-containing agents, (2) calcium-containing
agents, (3) antimicrobials and antibiotics, (4) metals, and (5)
miscellaneous agents. Although many potential agents have been identified
in various models, very few have been taken forward to full anticaries
testing in humans. Chlorhexidine is an exception, and certain agents such
as calcium glycerophosphate have been shown to result in greater anticaries
activity when added to fluoride. In the future, non-fluoride agents which
modify the production of acid in plaque--either antimicrobially,
biochemically, or directly--appear to have the most promise for use in
topical products and may prove to be effective anticaries systems.
Phosphates have shown encouraging activity as diet additives.
