PhD to study the factors affecting the acidogenicity of the dental plaque biofilm and de/remineralisation at the plaque-tooth interface

Ingestion of dietary carbohydrates can lead to acid production, which disrupts the homeostasis of the plaque-microbial biofilm on the teeth. Over months or years, this and may ultimately lead to demineralisation of the dental hard-tissues. However, most models for the mechanisms occurring at the plaque biofilm-hard tissue interface tend to be either microbial in nature, focussing on the biological processes in the plaque biofilm, or abiotic chemical models. To better understand the system as a whole, physiologically relevant models are needed where both the biological and chemical processes are considered. The aim of the proposed project will be to develop models for the complex chemical interactions at the interface between the plaque biofilm, the hard tissues of the teeth and the plaque-fluid. This could then be used to design strategies to eliminate the risk of dental caries, by maintaining health rather than treating disease, through greater understanding of the relative cariogenic potential of varying foodstuffs, and increased effectiveness of new and existing chemical interventions.