Pre-Dent in Need of Help !! Biochemistry ot Tooth Decay

[Ar2]

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Hey all ,

I'm in need of a little help/guidance. I am currently in Biochemistry II , and I have to give a biochemical presentation over something in my field of interest. Since I am hoping to go to Dental School, I thought it would be cool to give my presentation over tooth decay, or some oral disease... The problem is I havent been able to find much biochemistry detail on the process of how decay happens. (except mainly caused by streptoccocus mutan by ferementing sucrose)..But this is just a general overview.

Do you guys have any suggestions as to where I can find a resource or book that gives a greater detail on how tooth decay occurs ?...On a biochemical level.. Thank you'll for the help !! This is a HUGE part of my grade !!!!

Ar2

 

[cdmOMR]

I would just search for demineralization of hydroxyapatite crystals or something... You could also maybe look into enamel protiens(believe it or not enamel does contain protien!) and their structure/function...enamelin and amelogenin are the two most well studied enamel protiens

 

[dentstd]

Hey all ,

I'm in need of a little help/guidance. I am currently in Biochemistry II , and I have to give a biochemical presentation over something in my field of interest. Since I am hoping to go to Dental School, I thought it would be cool to give my presentation over tooth decay, or some oral disease... The problem is I havent been able to find much biochemistry detail on the process of how decay happens. (except mainly caused by streptoccocus mutan by ferementing sucrose)..But this is just a general overview.

Do you guys have any suggestions as to where I can find a resource or book that gives a greater detail on how tooth decay occurs ?...On a biochemical level.. Thank you'll for the help !! This is a HUGE part of my grade !!!!

Ar2

Biochemistry of tooth decay?!?!?! wth? Choose another project or your project's gonna really suck.

Here're the steps to tooth decay:
1) You eat sugar
2) Bacteria eat sugar
3) S. mutans and lactobacilli secrete acid.
4) Acid breaks down mineral in teeth.

If you want to get into complex biochemistry:
1) Toothbrush and toothpaste inhibit the conversion from Step 3 to Step 4.
2) Fluoride inhibits Step 4 by decreasing the pH needed to dissolve teeth.

 

[Ar2]

Thanks for all the help !!.... Yea, there doesnt seem to be much detial/biochem behind the whole process... ..

Do you guys have any suggestions ??...PLEASE !!!

Ar2

 

[Odontomata]

Thanks for all the help !!.... Yea, there doesnt seem to be much detial/biochem behind the whole process... ..

Do you guys have any suggestions ??...PLEASE !!!

Ar2

What about the biochemistry of normal tooth formation or perhaps the biochemistry behind some developmental defect of the teeth? That would be more substantial and interesting.

 

[BillytheEchidna]

How about the production and functions of saliva? You can combine the buffering effects with the enzymatic effects, the chemical signals that stimulate its production, etc...

Even the biochemical process of tasting would be fun -- tastebud specificity, for example. Think of all the molecules swirling around in your mouth right now! It's like a biochemical soup.

Also, how about the process of losing a tooth on a biochemical level? Something has to trigger that.

I'm just a pre-dent, but I hope that helped!

 

[Istr8nthem]

Thanks for all the help !!.... Yea, there doesnt seem to be much detial/biochem behind the whole process... ..

Do you guys have any suggestions ??...PLEASE !!!

Ar2

Go to pubmed/medline and search journal articles in JADA and other dental journals. You are likely to get more information than you could possibly know what to do with. There are biochemical studies done on just about every aspect of the human/dog/mouse oral cavity. My research in dental school was about how periodontal disease can potentially aide in the progression of heart disease due to increases in TNF-alpha and other pro-inflammatory cytokines circulating systemically. The possibilities for your presentation are virtually endless with a few journal searches!

 

[Ar2]

I appreciate everyone's input !!...This was very helpful. I feel like I have more of a direction to go now. You guys are awesome !!... Im thinking maybe tooth formation/loss or the role of sailva... Thanks again for all of the help.

Ar2

 

[SatanicMonkey]

That sounds like a good idea. It seems that journals are beyond the scope of your project, since you didn't know to go to them first. I would go with the biochemical mechanism of saliva.. go check out salivary amylase

 

[tinman831]

Saliva does play an important part in buffering the acids produced by the breakdown of sugars.