Cariogenic bacteria metabolic process

Cariogenic bacteria metabolic process refers to the set of metabolic activities performed mainly by *Streptococcus mutans* and similar oral bacteria, which convert dietary carbohydrates into acids—especially lactic acid—under acidic and nutrient-variable conditions. This acid production diminishes local pH, leading to demineralization of tooth enamel and dentine and ultimately resulting in dental caries. Bacteria have adaptive mechanisms to survive nutrient depletion, including polysaccharide storage and switching fermentative pathways. This process is central to caries pathology but is not a single molecular target; rather, it describes microbial metabolic attributes that underlie disease development.

Other names

carbohydrate metabolism of oral bacteriaacidogenic/aciduric bacterial metabolismdental plaque bacterial fermentation

Inhibition of glycolysis and acid production; Disruption of carbohydrate uptake/metabolism; Enhancement of non-cariogenic pathways or competitive flora.