Epidemiological and etiological aspects of dental caries development

Abstract

The infectious factor is etiological in the caries development. Early colonization of S. mutans is considered as a key point; another important caries-associated microorganism is Lactobacillus, which colonizes carious lesions later. Ecological shifts in the dental plaques against the background of weakened local immunity increase their cariogenicity and lead to the caries progression. The data obtained confirm the key importance of the oral colonization resistance in initiating dental caries and its progression. Thus, the biological status of dental plaque and the activity of cariogenic bacteria are regarded as the key mechanisms for the emergence of dental caries. Therefore, the in-depth study of oral microbial homeostasis, the factors supporting its dynamic balance, is extremely important for modern cariology that will greatly contribute to developing programs and recommendations for prevention of dental caries and its early detection in order to improve the general health of population.