Potential Vaccine for Dental Cavities?!

Authored by: Eden Park

Art by: Kendall Eddington

It’s concerning how 2.3 billion people (30% of the global population) have dental cavities, and the current solution to treating them, instead of preventing the root cause. Scientifically known as caries, they are caused by microorganisms, specifically Streptococcus mutans. These bacteria feed on dietary sugars that we consume, producing acids as a byproduct. These acids combined with saliva and food debris form dental plaque, a sticky type of biofilm that accumulates on tooth surfaces. Gradually, the acidic environment created by plaque demineralizes the tooth enamel, breaking down and leading to small holes and cavities. Without intervention or early notice to these cavities, more of the tooth can wear down and penetrate deeper into the dentin and pulp. Sometimes causing pain, the whole tooth may be infected and decayed [1](Loesche, 1996). 

Because cavity formations occur so easily in the presence of common dietary sugars and inadequate oral hygiene, dental cavities remain the most frequent oral health problem globally. In fact, nearly 90% of adults from 20 to 64 years old have had decay in their teeth, and 46.0% of children from 2 to 19 years have untreated or restored dental caries in one or more primary or permanent teeth [2](NIH, 2016), [3](CDC, 2020). With how common these cavities are and the unequal access and structural barriers for oral care, researchers have been discussing the potential development of a dental caries vaccine.  

The goals of this vaccine are to eliminate or greatly reduce caries in primary teeth, especially towards populations that lack access to dental care. One investigation, conducted by Dr. Yu et. al, studied how the use of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 nanoparticle (ZIF-8 NP)-based adjuvant with good biocompatibility, pH responsiveness, and high loading performance for protein antigen c (PAc) of S. mutans could improve the anticaries vaccine. Overall, ZIF-8 NPs improved the internalization of PAc in lysosomes, alerting the T cells to faster recognize PAc as a foreign substance and stimulating B cells to produce specific antibodies against PAc. These antibodies would bind to S. mutans and block the bacteria’s ability to bind to tooth surfaces [4](Yu et. al, 2023), resulting in ZIF-8 NPs as a promising dental caries vaccine candidate. However, there are limitations to this study because the results from the vivo immunization experiments with mice might not translate into the oral cavities found in humans. Overall, there are many factors that need to be considered in order to produce a practical and effective vaccine. 

Another study explored passive immunization, specifically how monoclonal antibodies (which are produced by cloning a single antibody-producing cell) target surface antigens and glucosyltransferase, including those obtained from immunized cows and those expressed in transgenic tobacco plants. The antibodies reduced bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. Furthermore, many researchers have found that immunogenic proteins and multigenic vaccines produce stronger protection in animals. Though, limited human trials showed only short-term benefits and faced issues with multiple dosing and bacterial recolonization [5](Patel, 2020). Despite the challenges, these studies pave the way for innovative antibody-based therapies and vaccine designs. 

With various investigations, the findings of a dental caries vaccine will help in preventative dentistry. For the future, there are various approaches that scientists can take. One way is to search for new target virulence genes or antigenic proteins and administer it using the best nanotechnology. Another way is to improve the best-proved animal trial vaccines to the human clinical trials. Historically, the use of fluoride in water and other oral products have been utilized yet held many ethical concerns. Lifestyle changes like consuming less sugar is possible yet difficult because not everyone has the same lifestyle conditions and ability to take care of their teeth. With more interest from policy makers, public health leaders, and scientists, a dental caries vaccine could be possible and feasible, improving quality of life for society.  

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, June 26). FastStats – Oral and dental health. National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/dental.htm

2. Cherukuri, G. (2021). Insight into status of dental caries vaccination: A review. Journal of Conservative Dentistry, 24(2), 129–133. https://doi.org/10.4103/JCD.JCD_511_20

3. Loesche, W. J. (1996). Microbiology of dental decay and periodontal disease. In S. Baron (Ed.), Medical microbiology (4th ed., chap. 99). University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK8259/

4. M. Patel, Dental caries vaccine: are we there yet?, Letters in Applied Microbiology, Volume 70, Issue 1, 1 January 2020, Pages 2–12, https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13218

5. ​​National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. (n.d.). Dental caries in adults (ages 20 to 64 years). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/data-statistics/dental-caries/adults

6. Smith, D. J. (2010). Dental caries vaccines: prospects and concerns. Expert Review of Vaccines, 9(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1586/erv.09.143

7. Yu, Y. B., Liu, Y., Liang, H., Dong, X., Yang, X. Y., Li, S., & Guo, Z. (2023). A nanoparticle-based anticaries vaccine enhances the persistent immune response to inhibit Streptococcus mutans and prevent caries. Microbiology Spectrum, 11(2), Article e04328-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.04328-22