Genetic aspects of dental caries

Dental caries is a common chronic disease affecting humans in all age groups. Various factors can affect the formation of caries including demineralization and remineralization processes with oral flora; dietary and oral hygiene habits; salivary composition, flow rate, pH and buffering capacity; morphological features of the teeth; fluoride exposures, environmental and socioeconomic factors. One of the most important factors causing inter-individual variations in caries susceptibility is the host genetics. Several genes affect individual caries susceptibility. Genes play a role in immune response, development of saliva and tooth enamel. The present review aims to overview the literature focusing on the genetic features of dental caries.

Formation of cariogenic impactions in rats

Large particles of rice in a modified HWC ration produced cariogenic impactions in the second transverse fissures of the first mandibular molars and in the transverse fissures of the second mandibular molars of rats. These particles were captured in caries-susceptible rats by the longitudinal sulcus terminating in each fissure.

Development of caries in the Hung-Hoppert caries-susceptible and caries-resistant rats under different experimental conditions

Rats of both Hunt-Hoppert lines, originally designated as caries-susceptible (Ca-S) and caries-resistant (Ca-R) lines, were highly susceptible to caries when subjected to a combination of diet and microflora that provided a challenge to the resistance of all surfaces of the teeth. Strain differences were indicated by the predominance of sulcal lesions in the Ca-S line and smooth-surface lesions in the Ca-R line.