Description

Microbiology and Immunology are two most important aspects which need to be considered in order to have comprehensive knowledge of Dental Caries. Dental caries is a disease that has been characterized as an ecological collision in the mouth, involving infectious bacteria and the ready availability of sugars in our diet. Specific microbial populations utilize sugars to produce extracellular polysaccharides and destructive organic acids, thus forming highly adhesive and acidic biofilms. Human saliva provides immunity to the oral cavity, and protects it from microbial overgrowth and extensive microbial production of noxious agents which may lead to dental caries. A thorough knowledge of various factors involved in the carious process is of paramount importance for proper diagnosis, prevention and treatment of the disease. The book highlights the role of various microbiologic and immunologic factors in causation of dental caries.