New ways to stop tooth decay in young children
A multiscale approach to develop and apply fluoride efflux inhibitors to reverse oral dysbiosis and eliminate early childhood caries
This project looks for new ways to stop tooth decay in young children by targeting specific germs in the mouth that cause cavities.
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 ID | NIH-11192320 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Early childhood tooth decay is a major problem for many children, causing pain and affecting their health. This project aims to find new treatments that can specifically target the harmful bacteria and fungi that cause cavities, while leaving helpful germs alone. Researchers are developing special compounds called fluoride efflux inhibitors that can make fluoride more effective against these cavity-causing microbes. By understanding how these germs get rid of fluoride, we hope to create a more balanced and healthy mouth environment for children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is focused on understanding and treating early childhood caries, which affects children aged 0-11 years old.
Not a fit: Patients without early childhood caries or those outside the pediatric age range may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective ways to prevent and treat early childhood tooth decay, reducing pain and improving children's overall health.
How similar studies have performed: Fluoride is a known effective agent for caries control, but this approach of specifically targeting microbial fluoride expulsion mechanisms is novel and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- 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.
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 below.