Nature of Dental Caries

Abstract

IN a recent paper on the cause and nature of dental caries, J. J. Enright, H. E. Friesell and M. O. Trescher describe experiments designed to elucidate the part played by local factors in the etiology of this disease (J. Dental Res., 12, 759; 1932). The authors first discuss the two chief theories of causation and point out that Miller's bacterio-chemical theory does not explain all the facts. For example, carious areas produced artificially by acid have not simulated natural caries in certain particulars; the carious process may halt for indefinite periods and, finally, dirty mouths are frequently free from caries. After a review of the relation of diet to dental caries, the authors conclude that improper diet is at least an important predisposing factor in the causation of tooth decay, since diets rich in vitamins A, C and D and yielding an alkaline ash, when utilised systematically during the period of development, produce teeth less liable to decay. After eruption, the structure of the enamel cannot be changed by factors acting from the pulp, because there is no circulation in this structure. Moreover, the ameloblasts, the enamel-forming cells, are lost at the time of eruption.