Rotten roots: root surface caries risks and management

The mouth is clearly not a uniform environment but contains many distinct microenvironments, some of which are more conducive than others to developing dental disease. Effective oral hygiene advice is tailored and takes into account the different needs in each area of the mouth, as well as the very specific needs of the individual concerned.

Dental caries is a complex process in which the colonisation of the tooth surfaces by bacterial plaque is an essential prerequisite for the development of the disease. Consequently, mechanical plaque removal could constitute a basic preventive measure. However, the predilection sites for the development of dental caries i.e. the interdental surfaces and the fissures and pits, are the most difficult sites to reach with mechanical plaque control measures. Many of the case studies concerned with the effects of mechanical plaque control involve the simultaneous application of fluorides. Therefore, the respective role of these two elements is difficult to identify. However, there is good evidence supporting the fact that mechanical plaque removal in itself decreases the incidence of interdental caries.