BIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF EARLY-CHILDHOOD CARIES

The present paper reviews biological issues in early childhood caries (ECC) in Light of the current understanding of the field. Despite the general global decline in dental caries in the past decades, ECC has b ecome a significant problem in many developing countries and some mino rity communities in western industrialized nations. Like other types o f caries, ECC is caused by mutans streptococci that ferment dietary ca rbohydrates to produce acid attacks on susceptible teeth over a period of time. However, while the general etiology of ECC appears similar t o that of other types of caries, the predisposing factors are still un clear. The biology of ECC may be modified by several factors unique to young children, related to the implantation of cariogenic bacteria, i mmaturity of the host defense systems, as well as behavioral patterns associated with feeding and oral hygiene in early childhood.