Method for reducing demineralization and enhancing remineralization of teeth

A method for reducing demineralization and promoting remineralization of teeth, said method including the steps of:

• (a) establishing a composition for treatment and prevention of dental caries, the composition comprising stabilized chlorine dioxide, a fluoride ion source and buffers selected from the group consisting of acetate, citrate and peroxy compounds with a resultant pH range of 6.5 to 7.5 in a single phase solution;
• (b) applying the composition to the oral cavity for interaction with salivary biomolecules and volatile sulfur compound precursors to release chlorine dioxide gas from the composition;
• (c) penetrating and disrupting the oral biofilms and dental plaque with the resulting chlorine dioxide gas;
• (d) killing and eliminating acid-generating bacteria attached to and resident within the oral biofilms and dental plaque in response to said step of penetrating and disrupting;
• and
• (e) eliminating the acid-generating bacteria and disrupting oral biofilms and dental plaque in response to said step of killing and eliminating to produce an enhanced reduction in demineralization of the teeth and an enhanced promotion of the remineralization of teeth.