ECC Etiology: Triad
What Causes Dental Caries?
- Multifactorial process affected by environmental, behavioral and host risk factors
- Oral bacteria (Polymicrobial including Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli) metabolize dietary sugars into acids
- Acids demineralize the tooth enamel
- If the cycle of acid production and demineralization continues, the enamel weakens and breaks down into a cavity
This process is reviewed in greater depth in the Smiles for Life "Child Oral Health" Course.
References
Krol DM, Whelan K. THE SECTION ON ORAL HEALTH; Maintaining and Improving the Oral Health of Young Children.  Pediatrics . 2023; 151(1): e2022060417.
Pitts NB, Zero DT, Marsh PD, et al. Dental caries. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017; 3:17030.
Fisher-Owens SA, Gansky SA , Platt LJ et al. Influences on Children's Oral Health: A Conceptual Model. Pediatrics. 2007. Vol. 120(3): pp. e510 -e520.
Colak H, Dülgergil CT, Dalli M, Hamidi MM. Early childhood caries update: A review of causes, diagnoses, and treatments. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2013; 4(1):29-38.