Are all members of the resident flora of th mouth capable of initiating dental caries?

Answer 1

Not all members of the resident flora of the mouth are capable of initiating dental caries. Dental caries primarily occur due to specific cariogenic bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species, which can metabolize sugars to produce acids that demineralize tooth enamel. While other bacteria in the oral microbiome can contribute to oral health or disease, they do not necessarily have the same cariogenic potential. Therefore, only certain bacteria within the resident flora are directly involved in the development of dental caries.