September 4, 2024
According to preference testing, most people prefer minty-flavored toothpastes. However, this doesn't mean mint oils added to toothpaste have no purpose other than flavor. A dental cavity (caries) is a highly prevalent oral disease affecting billions of individuals globally. The disease occurs chemically as a result of breakdown of the tooth surface attributed to metabolic activity in colonizing biofilm. Biofilms are slimy communities of microbes that stick to each other and a surface. The biofilm protects microbes, like S. mutans, which can produce acids that contribute to tooth decay. While various antimicrobial agents may prevent biofilm formation, these drugs often produce side effects including enamel erosion and taste disturbances.
