Cariogenic bacteria form biofilms on the dental surface and metabolize carbohydrates to produce acid, which then causes demineralization of the hard tissues, leading to cavity formation. Streptococcus mutans
Streptococcus mutans
Streptococcus mutans is a facultatively anaerobic, gram-positive coccus commonly found in the human oral cavity and is a significant contributor to tooth decay. It is part of the "streptococci", an informal general name for all species in the genus Streptococcus.The microbe was first described …
Can humans be infected with cariogenic bacteria?
The cariogenic microorganisms, particularly Streptococcus mutans, have been shown to infect the oral cavity of an infant as early as 3 months of birth [7]. Among the oral microorganisms, the major organisms associated with caries in man are (on the genus level), (a) Streptococcus (particularly S.
What is the most important cariogenic species of bacteria?
However, it is generally accepted that S. mutans can be more frequently isolated from carious lesions than S. sobrinus and is by far the most relevant cariogenic Streptococcus species, although we should not rule out the acidogenic properties of several non-MS (5–7).
What does cariogenic mean in dentistry?
In regard to oral health, foods are rated by their cariogenic potential. Cariogenic is defined as “promoting or producing the development of caries”.
What bacteria causes dental decay?
Streptococcus mutans is the main cause of dental decay. Various lactobacilli are associated with progression of the lesion.
Where does cariogenic bacteria come from?
Cariogenic bacteria live in biofilm and attack dental enamel by converting sugar and starch into acids that dissolve out calcium from the enamel. This process can cause caries. The dissolution of calcium increases the concentration of calcium locally, creating an environment that is hostile to bacterial life.
Which is the most cariogenic?
However, among the carbohydrates, sucrose is considered the most cariogenic, because, in addition to being fermented by oral bacteria, it is a substrate for the synthesis of extracellular (EPS) and intracellular (IPS) polysaccharides.
What are the four main types of caries?
Removal of caries is often the result of untreated caries....Disease stagesInitial caries, caries in the spot stage or, as it is also called “white caries”. ... Superficial caries. ... Medium caries. ... Deep caries.
What makes a food cariogenic?
Cariogenic foods contain highly fermentable carbohydrates, may have a sticky consistency, and are broken down into sugars in the mouth by the enzyme amylase in the saliva, which can be further fermented by oral bacteria into organic acids.
Which foods cause caries?
Sugary food and drinks are one of the main causes of tooth decay....Sugar in food and drinkscakes and biscuits.sweets and chocolate.flavoured milks and yoghurts.sugary breakfast cereals and cereal bars.jams.fruit canned in syrup.sauces and syrups, such as some pasta sauces, marinades and ketchup.
What is the most common bacteria in the mouth?
Common oral bacteria include Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Staphylococcus, and Lactobacillus [23].
What bacteria infect teeth?
Facultative anaerobes belong to the viridans group streptococci and the anginosus group streptococci are commonly implicated in dental abscess. The viridans group streptococci includes mitis group, oralis group, salivarius group, sanguinis group, and the mutans group.
What type of bacteria causes gum infection?
Two types of bacteria are commonly associated with gum disease – Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Both of which can survive without oxygen and multiply to cause inflammation of the gums.
What is the most common bacteria in the mouth?
Common oral bacteria include Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Staphylococcus, and Lactobacillus [23].
What is the most abundant bacteria in the mouth?
Some bacteria like Streptococcus, Granulicatella, Gemella, and Veillonella are amongst the predominant microorganisms of the oral cavity; however, the majority of bacteria are explicit to certain sites.
Why is Streptococcus mutans more cariogenic?
S. mutans is the major microbial etiological agent of dental caries, due to its ability to adhere to the tooth surface, by producing sticky extracellular polysaccharides from sucrose, and to ferment sucrose and other sugars to acids which attack the tooth enamel [5, 6].
What is the most common bacteria found in the human mouth?
Streptococcus mutans is the bacteria you've probably heard the most about. It lives in your mouth and feeds on the sugars and starches that you eat.
What is cariogenic food?
Definition of Cariogenic Foods. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, cariogenic is defined as “producing or promoting the development of tooth decay.”. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association list characteristics of cariogenic foods as those that have a highly fermentable carbohydrate content and a sticky consistency, ...
What are the characteristics of cariogenic foods?
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association list characteristics of cariogenic foods as those that have a highly fermentable carbohydrate content and a sticky consistency, break into small pieces in the mouth, reduce the pH in the mouth to less than 5.5 and are highly processed.
What is fermentable carbohydrate?
Fermentable carbohydrate foods are those that are broken down by the saliva in your mouth. Examples include starchy or sugary foods such as breads, crackers, sweetened cereals, candy, cakes or other sweets. As bacteria break down these foods, they release acids. If the pH level in your mouth is below 5.5, the acids begin to break down the enamel on your teeth. Sugar lowers the pH level. The longer your teeth are exposed to a low pH and high acid content, the more likely you are to develop cavities.
What foods are cariogenic?
Foods such as cheese, fruits and vegetables stimulate saliva production which rinses cariogenic foods out of your mouth and off of your teeth.
Why do cookies cause cavities?
Sticky Foods. Sticky foods such as dried fruits, fruit snacks and cookies can lead to cavities because they stick to your teeth. The acid released by the bacteria breaking down these foods remains in your mouth for longer periods of time leading to tooth decay.
Cariogenic Foods
A cariogenic Diet is bad for your teeth. It helps the proliferation of bacteria or alters the acid-base balance around the teeth resulting in dental caries.
What is Cariogenic Diet and Foods?
Cariogenic foods are the food items that are capable of causing dental caries due to the presence of fermentable carbohydrates or their consistency or the time of exposure to the pathogens in the mouth.
What is Dental Caries?
Dental caries or tooth decay is yielded by the existence of bacteria that decreases the pH in your mouth by making acids that damage the surface of the tooth making a cavity that will lead to an infection if it remains untreated.
Influence of Television on Cariogenic Diet and Dental Caries
Another leading cause of dental caries is the impact of television. Every day various food items are advertised which influence people to buy them and bring them home, the fact is that these foods are usually cariogenic.
Examples of Cariogenic Diet and Foods
As one can tell by the name of it, these foods can stick in between the teeth. This way they allow decay-causing bacteria to act upon them and release acids that will reduce the pH inside the mouth leading to cavity formation.
Factors Affecting the Cariogenicity of Foods
The form of food determines the length of time it will be exposed to the pathogens in the mouth or how long it will be retained in the mouth.
Written by Diabetes Doctor
I am an Internist practicing medicine for the last fifteen years. Over the years, I have learned that medicine is not about prescribing pills. True medical practice is helping people.
