Defense mechanisms in the mouth and their possible role in the prevention of dental caries: a review.

The mouth harbors organisms in great abundance; yet their variety is limited and it is noteworthy that some species present in the mouth are not found elsewhere. There are many antibacterial substances in the mouth, some of which may contribute to the control of the microbial flora in the mouth. The activity of some is enhanced in the presence of specific antibody, e.g. lactoferrin, although others appear unaffected, e.g. lactoperoxidase. Opinions differ as to whether the level of immunoglobulins in human saliva can be related to caries. Although it has been established in principle that caries can be prevented in animals by means of vaccination, substantial work remains to be done before a vaccine will be available for testing in humans.