Alkali production by oral bacteria is believed to have a major impact on oral microbial ecology and to be inhibitory to the initiation and progression of dental caries. A substantial body of evidence is beginning to accumulate that indicates the modulation of the alkalinogenic potential of dental biofilms may be a promising strategy for caries control. This brief review highlights recent progress toward understanding molecular genetic and physiologic aspects of important alkali-generating pathways in oral bacteria, and the role of alkali production in the ecology of dental biofilms in health and disease.
Agmatine ; metabolism ; Alkalies ; metabolism ; Arginine ; metabolism ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Dental Plaque ; enzymology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Urease ; metabolism