Genetic factors affecting dental caries risk

Abstract

This article reviews the literature on genetic aspects of dental caries and provides a framework for the rapidly changing disease model of caries. The scope is genetic aspects of various dental factors affecting dental caries. The PubMed database was searched for articles with keywords 'caries', 'genetics', 'taste', 'diet' and 'twins'. This was followed by extensive handsearching using reference lists from relevant articles. The post-genomic era will present many opportunities for improvement in oral health care but will also present a multitude of challenges. We can conclude from the literature that genes have a role to play in dental caries; however, both environmental and genetic factors have been implicated in the aetiology of caries. Additional studies will have to be conducted to replicate the findings in a different population. Identification of genetic risk factors will help screen and identify susceptible patients to better understand the contribution of genes in caries aetiopathogenesis. Information derived from these diverse studies will provide new tools to target individuals and/or populations for a more efficient and effective implementation of newer preventive measures and diagnostic and novel therapeutic approaches in the management of this disease.Keywords: Cariology, genetics, heredity, immunity, saliva, twin.Abbreviations and acronyms: AMBN = ameloblastin; CSA = complex segregation analysis; DMF = decayed, missing, filled teeth; DMFS = decayed, missing, filled tooth surface; HLA = human leukocyte antigen; GWAS = genome-wide association studies; LTF = lactotransferrin; MBL = mannose-binding lectin; MHC = major histocompatibility complex; SNPS = single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Human Salivary Acidic Proline-Rich Proteins (APRP-1/2) In Adult Patients With Dental Caries

“…The results, presented for the first time in this study, allow to conclude that elevated levels of APRP-1/2 may cooperate in development of dental caries in adults. This conclusion, at least in part may be corroborated by studies pointing to a relationship between development of dental caries on one hand and genetic polymorphism in PRH1 and PRH2 loci [24,25].…”

“…In parallel, 45-64% of caries susceptibility has been shown to be genetically determined [23]. A significant association was reported between human caries and genes coding amelogenin (AMELX), ameloblastin (AMBN) and tuftelin (TUFT) [24]. The genes are of key importance for enamel formation.…”

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the Aetiology of Caries: Systematic Literature Review

“…Genetic and environmental factors, which mutually influence one another, take part in the development of caries. Their identification and knowledge of the mechanisms of influence have important meaning in the full understanding of the essence of carious disease [Wang et al, 2012b;Opal et al, 2015]. In the past century scientists became widely interested in the effect of hereditary factors on the risk of caries development.…”

Effect of topical anti-Streptococcus mutans IgY gel on quantity of S. mutans on rats’ tooth surface

“…According to Indonesian Basic Health Research conducted in 2007 by the Department of Health in Indonesia, the active caries prevalence of the population aged 12 years and older reached 46.50%, and 27.90% of subjects were caries free [1]. Caries involves many factors other than Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans); these include plaque accumulation, carbohydrate intake, acidic diet, and conditioning saliva [2][3][4][5]. The immune system plays a role in the prevention of cariogenic processes, along with other components that impede bacterial growth [6,7].…”