Abstract

Every day, the teeth in your young patients' mouths are engaged in a biological tug-of-war — minerals are being lost and replaced in an ongoing dynamic cycle that ultimately determines whether a child develops cavities or stays caries-free. As pediatric dental professionals, we are not passive bystanders in this race. We are coaches, and the evidence gives us powerful tools to tip the balance in favour of remineralization.

In this opening webinar of the Little Smiles, Big Science series, Dr. LaRee Johnson — board-certified pediatric dentist, founder of Carolina Pediatric Dentistry, and past president of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry — breaks down the science of enamel de- and remineralization in a way that is both clinically actionable and refreshingly honest. We will explore the chemistry of the caries process as it specifically applies to the developing dentition: why primary and early permanent enamel is uniquely vulnerable, how diet frequency and oral pH intersect to shift the balance toward mineral loss, and what the latest evidence tells us about fluoride's topical mechanisms, the role of calcium and phosphate, and emerging remineralizing agents including hydroxyapatite and silver diamine fluoride.

Far from a theoretical lecture, this session will help you translate the science directly into the conversations you have chairside with patients and parents every single day — because winning the race starts with knowing what race you're running.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe the physiological process of enamel demineralization and remineralization and explain how the balance between these processes determines caries risk in children.
• Identify the key biological, dietary, and behavioural factors that shift the oral environment toward net demineralization in the paediatric patient.
• Explain the evidence-based mechanisms of action of fluoride (topical fluoride varnish, fluoridated toothpaste, fluoridated water) in supporting enamel remineralization and inhibiting acid attack.
• Compare the remineralizing properties of fluoride with emerging alternatives such as hydroxyapatite and silver diamine fluoride, and identify appropriate clinical indications for each.
• Communicate the de/remineralization concept effectively to parents and caregivers to support preventive behaviour change at home.

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