Biological mechanisms of early childhood caries

Abstract

Abstract— The present paper reviews biological issues in early childhood caries (ECC) in light of the current understanding of the field. Despite the general global decline in dental caries in the past decades, ECC has become a significant problem in many developing countries and some minority communities in western industrialized nations. Like other types of caries, ECC is caused by mutans streptococci that ferment dietary carbohydrates to produce acid attacks on susceptible teeth over a period of time. However, while the general etiology of ECC appears similar to that of other types of caries, the predisposing factors are still unclear. The biology of ECC may be modified by several factors unique to young children, related to the implantation of cariogenic bacteria, immaturity of the host defense systems, as well as behavioral patterns associated with feeding and oral hygiene in early childhood.

Cárie precoce: influência de variáveis sócio-comportamentais e do locus de controle da saúde em um grupo de crianças de Araraquara, São Paulo, Brasil

“…Segundo Seow 56 , os mecanismos biológi-cos da cárie precoce severa são os mesmos da cárie dentária de forma geral, no entanto, associados a fatores de risco adicionais relativos à idade: colonização precoce por estreptococus do grupo mutans, maior freqüência de alimentação, esmalte imaturo e possibilidade de hipoplasias.…”

Aleitamento materno e cárie do lactente e do pré-escolar: uma revisão crítica

“…9, 10,19 The major reservoir of mutans streptococci is the oral cavity, and infant infection depends on the level of maternal infection or on the person in closer contact with him or her. 7,10,[29][30][31] Horizontal transmission also has been described in nursery facilities of day-care centers and within families. 31,32 The severity of ECC is directly related to the early establishment of mutans streptococci in the infant.…”

“…7,10,30 These pathogens can colonize the tooth surface and produce acids at a faster speed than the capacity of neutralization of the biofilm in an environment below the critical pH value (less than 5.5), which results in the destruction of the tooth enamel. 9, 10,19 The major reservoir of mutans streptococci is the oral cavity, and infant infection depends on the level of maternal infection or on the person in closer contact with him or her.…”

“…29 These factors interact in a certain period of time, causing an imbalance in the demineralization and remineralization between tooth surface and the adjacent plaque (biofilm). 5,30 Cariogenic microorganisms…”

Cárie precoce e severa na infância: uma abordagem integral

“…25 Immunosuppression increases the susceptibility to caries. [26][27][28] Children who need oncological or rheumatological treatment might be more susceptible. There seems also to be a genetic predisposition for higher susceptibility to caries, even though such predisposition has not been completely clarified.…”