Chemistry plays a number of roles in dentistry, from helping prevent cavities to whitening teeth. Here we examine the molecules behind tooth decay and those used to block or treatit. TOOTH DECAY FLUORIDE VERSUS TOOTH DECAY 9 i i HC. we JL 2 Son Oo on, be Tounen ed ext estas Toothpastes containing fluoride—often in the Bacteria in your mouth form plaque on your teeth ‘and gums. As they feed, they create organic acids form of sodium fluoride or tin(ll)fluoride—can help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride ions convert (shown above) from sugars. These attack tooth ‘enamel and can lead to cavities. Acidic foods and hydroxyapatite in enamel to flucrapatite, which is more resistant to acids, HYDROXYAPATITE a f Par ne rinks can also cause tooth decay. FILLINGS AND COMPOSITES TEETH WHITENING om OO" “AED AL HO-OH HO-OH Poy HyN7 NH ection petonee. Agambination of rea left) roughly equnotent to 0 3% ie ‘and hydrogen peroxide (right) hydrogen peroxide solution. Dentists have used amalgam to fill cavities, but it Tooth whiteners can remove surface stains from has become less popular because of environmental teeth. Toothpastes whiten with abrasive agents. ‘concerns. Now they use composite resins. The ‘most common is 81s-GMA, formed from bisphenol ‘A (BPA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), which Resco ere such as silica or alumina, Dentists often use hydrogen peroxide or bleaching agents, such that break down into