If left in contact with the tooth, these acids may cause demineralization, which is the dissolution of its mineral content. The process is dynamic, however, as remineralization can also occur if the acid is neutralized by saliva or mouthwash. Fluoride toothpaste or dental varnish may aid remineralization. If demineralization continues over time, enough mineral content may be lost so that the soft organic material left behind disintegrates, forming a cavity or hole. The impact such sugars have on the progress of dental caries is called cariogenicity. Sucrose, although a bound glucose and fructose unit, is in fact more cariogenic than a mixture of equal parts of glucose and fructose. This is due to the bacteria utilising the energy in the saccharide bond between the glucose and fructose subunits. S.mutans adheres to the biofilm on the tooth by converting sucrose into an extremely adhesive substance called dextran polysaccharide by the enzyme dextran sucranase. Exposure
The frequency with which teeth are exposed to cariogenic (acidic) environments affects the likelihood of caries development. After meals or snacks, the bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugar, resulting in an acidic by-product that decreases pH. As time progresses, the pH returns to normal due to the buffering capacity of saliva and the dissolved mineral content of tooth surfaces. During every exposure to the acidic environment, portions of the inorganic mineral content at the surface of teeth dissolve and can remain dissolved for two hours.
Class IV (UK/NZ: class I)
Very potent (up to 600 times as potent as hydrocortisone)

Clobetasol propionate (Dermovate Cream/Ointment, Exel Cream)
Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone OV Cream/Ointment, Diprovate Cream)

Class III (UK/NZ: class II)
Potent (50–100 times as potent as hydrocortisone)

Betamethasone valerate (Beta Cream/Ointment/Scalp Application, Betnovate Lotion/C Cream/C Ointment, Fucicort)
Betamethasone dipropionate (Diprosone Cream/Ointment, Diprovate Cream, Daivobet 50/500 Ointment)
Diflucortolone valerate (Nerisone C/Cream/Fatty Ointment/Ointment)
Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate (Locoid C/Cream/Crelo Topical Emulsion/Lipocream/Ointment/Scalp Lotion)
Mometasone furoate (Elocon Cream/Lotion/Ointment)
Methylprednisolone aceponate (Advantan Cream/Ointment)
Halometasone 0.05%

Class II (UK/NZ: class III)
Moderate (2–25 times as potent as hydrocortisone) 

Clobetasone butyrate (Eumovate Cream)
Triamcinolone acetonide (Aristocort Cream/Ointment, Viaderm KC Cream/Ointment, Kenacomb Ointment)

Class I (UK/NZ: class IV)
Mild

Hydrocortisone 0.5–2.5% (DermAid Cream/Soft Cream, DP Lotion-HC 1%, Skincalm, Lemnis Fatty Cream HC, Pimafucort Cream/Ointment)

Allergy associations
The highlighted steroids are often used in the screening of allergies to topical steroid and systemic steroids. When one is allergic to one group, one is allergic to all steroids in that group. Group A
Hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate, cortisone acetate, tixocortol pivalate, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and prednisone

Group B
Triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone alcohol, amcinonide, budesonide, desonide, fluocinonide, fluocinolone acetonide, and halcinonide

Group C
Betamethasone, betamethasone sodium phosphate, dexamethasone, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, and fluocortolone

Group D
Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate, hydrocortisone-17-valerate, alclometasone dipropionate, betamethasone valerate, betamethasone dipropionate, prednicarbate, clobetasone-17-butyrate, Clobetasol-17 propionate, fluocortolone caproate, fluocortolone pivalate, fluprednidene acetate, and mometasone furoate

History
Corticosteroids were first made available for general use around 1950. See also
Topical medication
Glucocorticoid
Corticosteroid
Retrometabolic drug design


== References ==