Developing treatments to reverse tooth decay in young children
Official title: A multiscale approach to develop and apply fluoride efflux inhibitors to reverse oral dysbiosis and eliminate early childhood caries
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10990788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to help young kids with tooth decay by creating special treatments that make fluoride work better against bad bacteria in their mouths.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,157,291 |
| NIH project number | 1RM1DE034220-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are at risk for or currently experiencing early childhood caries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or those without any signs of dental caries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing early childhood caries (ECC), a significant health issue affecting millions of children worldwide. The project aims to develop fluoride efflux inhibitors that can help reverse oral dysbiosis, which is the imbalance of harmful and beneficial bacteria in the mouth. By targeting specific proteins in pathogenic microbes, the research seeks to enhance the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing tooth decay. This innovative approach combines expertise from various fields, including structural biology and cariology, to create a more effective treatment for young children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of tooth decay in children, improving their overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting microbial dynamics in oral health, suggesting that this approach could lead to significant advancements in caries treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stockbridge, Randy B. — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Stockbridge, Randy B.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.