Immunology of Dental Caries

Dental caries is an infectious microbiologic disease of the teeth that results in dissolution of the organic and destruction of the calcified tissue of the tooth. Dental caries is one of the most common diseases in humans. In modern times, it has reached epidemic proportions. The prevalence of dental caries in developed countries varies highly and can reach over 90%. The rate of Caries has been increasing in developing countries with the increase in the consumption of refined sugars. This book highlights induction of dental caries which involves multiple S. Mutans proteins, and will serve as a model for the preparation of other gene constructs to include in a combination dental vaccine. The results obtained will have an impact on future vaccine development, not only against S. mutans, but also against other pathogens utilizing the mucosal lining of the respiratory, gastrointestinal,and genito-urinary tract as a route of entry into the host.