ACID TOLERANCE RESPONCE OF CARIOGENIC MICROORGANISMS AND MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION

Dental caries is an infectious disease which occurs by the metabolism of bacteria acids released to dental enviroment which results hard tissue resolutions. Becouse of the oxygen-free structures of mature plaques complex and deep layers,cariojenic bacteries which have the ability of fermentation come forward. Strong acids like lactic acid, formic acid and pürivat deminish ph of the plaque and the acidty of the plaque causes demineralization of enamel during caries evolution. Existed plaque acidification is not only causes losing minerals from enamel but also threats microorganisms living in the biofilm of the plaque. So most of the microorganisms can’t survive under the ph value of 2.5. The ability of bacteria to survive in this acidic environment depends on the acid tolerance responses they have. Protection against acidity is possible by the production of glicoses,lactic acid and ATP(Adenosine triphosphate) by bacteries. Malolactic fermentation is the most important system that provides these productions in acidic environment. In order to better understand the anti-caries treatment protocols used in current preventive dental practice, the role of bacteria in the fermentation process needs to be known. İn this review we examined: chemical reactions of fermentation, which acids has been occured by the result of these reactions, ph changes in dental plaque, acidojenic and aciduric properties of bacteries which realise fermentation, how can microorganisms survive in acidic environment, what are the advantages propable inhibition of acid tolerance responces for guest. So we tried to attract attention to the anti-cariojenic strategies such as flour, chitosan, α-mangostin and gene studies which are used in the inhibition of acid tolerance systems of bacteria.