Dentists have discovered that there is a contribution of genetic factors to the risk of dental caries. They would find it helpful to understand the genetic contribution to tooth decay risk for at least 2 reasons. First, they would be able to explain to patients that some forms of tooth decay are more strongly associated with hereditary risk. This would help explain to both the patient and the dentist why people with similar behavioral risks (for example, frequency of brushing teeth or eating habits) have different rates of tooth decay. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Dental caries is a multifactorial infectious disease, with many contributing environmental factors, there is also strong evidence of a genetic component in the etiology of this disease. Information from the human genome and other related technologies, such as microbial genomics, will provide input into both the etiology and susceptibility to these diseases. The incidence of dental caries is influenced by host factors that may be related to the structure of dental enamel, the immunological response to cariogenic bacteria, or the composition of saliva. Numerous studies have described a potential genetic contribution to the risk of dental caries. Studies in twins (studies by Neale and Cardon, 1992), families and animal models have all indicated that tooth decay has a genetic component. Evidence for a genetic contribution to tooth decay is based on four questions that examine heredity that has altered dental hard tissues; the immune response; sugar metabolism and consumption; salivary flow, salivary constituents; and salivary defense systems. There is growing evidence that genetic risk factor relationships exist between dental caries and an individual's phenotypic expression, which explains that a genetic defect directly alters the structure of the tooth and makes it more susceptible to dental caries. Hereditary disorders of tooth development with altered enamel structure increase the incidence of dental caries. A specific genetic link has not been determined for all syndromes related to impaired tooth development. An altered immune response to cariogenic bacteria can also increase the incidence of tooth decay. Evidence supports the link between impaired development of tooth enamel and increased susceptibility to dental caries. Increased enamel porosity, colonization of cariogenic bacteria. the reduced mineral content and the presence of inhibitory proteins of the enamel crystals are all directly linked to the risk of dental caries. Individual genes can provide multiple proteins, each with a different set of properties. Protein variation may contribute to susceptibility to dental caries if a specific protein or set of different proteins results in an alteration of the host target, the host immune response, or factors that interact with saliva. Furthermore, information on the association of genome-wide genetic markers with susceptibility to dental caries and related phenotypes may indeed become possible with the recent decoding of the human genome. The identification of genetic risk factors will help to select and identify susceptible patients to better understand the contribution of genes in the etiopathogenesis of caries. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Information derived from these different studies will provide new tools to target individuals and/or populations for more efficient and effective implementation.