Final answer:
Antibacterials like fluoride, chlorhexidine, and xylitol play a crucial role in dental health by preventing tooth decay and controlling bacterial growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Antibacterials such as fluoride, chlorhexidine, and xylitol are used in dental care to aid in preventing and controlling dental infections. These substances have been proven effective in prophylactic dental treatment. For example, fluoride in toothpaste and drinking water helps rebuild and strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acidic attacks from oral bacteria. Chlorhexidine acts as an antiseptic mouthwash, killing bacteria and preventing biofilm formation on the teeth. Xylitol, often used in sugarless gum, cannot be fermented by oral bacteria, thereby reducing acid production that can lead to tooth decay.
Summarizing the provided references, fluoride's ability to form fluorapatite by reacting with hydroxyapatite in tooth enamel is essential for decay resistance because fluorapatite is less soluble in acid. Additionally, community water fluoridation is identified as a cost-effective way to deliver fluoride, decreasing the incidence of dental caries by 25%. Xylitol-containing toothpastes may also be more effective than those with fluoride alone in preventing dental cavities.