Immunization against dental caries. A review

An attempt has been made to review the current state of knowledge in relation to the production of a completely safe, effective vaccine against dental caries. Almost all research has focused upon Streptococcus mutants on the assumption that it is of prime aetiological importance. In earlier studies, whole or broken cells of Strep. mutans were used to immunize experimental animals but, because of the possible harmful effects of impure vaccines, more recent attempts have been made to find a suitable immunogen from purified cell components of this organism. When this has been achieved, there still remain the problems of proving its safety and efficacy and of devising suitable immunization schedules whereby relatively long-lasting protection can be provided.