This book, now in an extensively revised second edition, aims to define the etiological factors in dental caries and to guide the clinician towards evidence-based caries prevention methods. The coverage includes a discussion of the active role of the biofilm and the oral environment and emphasizes the multifactorial etiology of dental caries. The opening chapters describe the advanced technological improvements in the early detection and diagnosis of dental caries, highlight the value of caries risk assessment to the patient, and explain the dynamic process of the demineralization-remineralization cycle. Information is presented on the action of fluoride, and the evidence relating to the use, and effectiveness of remineralization agents, with new biomimetic materials are being reviewed. The effects of antimicrobials such as chlorhexidine, ozone, and newly, novel antimicrobial peptides are summarized. The further chapters focus on dietary counseling with information on sweeteners and probiotics, the effectiveness of sealants in caries prevention, and resin infiltration with long follow-up cases. The second edition contains research in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and the new era of artificial intelligence. The literature on caries prevention through the life course approach is updated. The conclusion chapter of the book, discussing preventive actions in representative cases, now includes the effect of substance abuse on oral health and prevention.
