Genetic Defects in Enamel: Link to Cavities
Ever wondered how come some people, who are so proper and careful in brushing and flossing their teeth, still develop cavities? They go for regular dental visits, yet their dentist still find beginnings of tooth decay. It might be frustrating but there’s a little science behind that.
New research showed (from mice experiments, though) that there exist a gene complex responsible in enamel formation. If protein mutations are present in the gene, there can be enamel defects that can be passed on to offsprings. In the experiment, all mice with mutations in genetic proteins exhibit teeth with enamel defects. The study demonstrated that there is a direct link between mutations in the genetic blueprints for these proteins and the development of tooth enamel defects. This discovery will lead to improving our understanding of the production of tooth enamel.
The team of researchers was the first in the world to use modern genetic, molecular and biochemical methods to study tooth enamel defects in detail. They have discovered particular proteins involved in a signaling pathway aren’t just involved in the development of severe illnesses, but also in the qualitative refinement of highly developed tissue, such as the enamel. If the signal transmission isn’t working properly, the structure of the tooth enamel can change.
All things considered, the formation and progress of tooth cavities depend on the composition and hardness of the enamel. How much can teeth resist caries? Bacteria and their toxic products can easily penetrate enamel with a less stable structure, which leads to caries, even if oral hygiene is maintained.
Hopefully, this development will open up new possibilities for the prevention of cavities. New products that check the progress of tooth cavities in case the enamel is defective will enable the dental community to improve the oral health of patients considerably.
Good Oral Hygiene: Gold standard in Bellingham
Still and all, while we marvel at the advances in dental medicine, in particular the battle against caries, we still adhere to proper brushing and flossing as the gold standard in good oral hygiene for the prevention and control of tooth decay.