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Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine
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4(3):301-307 (1993)     Crit Rev Oral Biol Med
© 1993 SAGE Publications

Salivary {alpha}-Amylase: Role in Dental Plaque and Caries Formation

Frank A. Scannapieco

Department of Oral Biology and Dental Research Institute, Foster Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214

Guillermo Torres

Department of Oral Biology and Dental Research Institute, Foster Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214

Michael J. Levine

Department of Oral Biology and Dental Research Institute, Foster Hall, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214

Salivary {alpha}-amylase, one of the most plentiful components in human saliva, has at least three distinct biological functions. The enzymatic activity of a-amylase undoubtedly plays a role in carbohydrate digestion. Amylase in solution binds with high affinity to a selected group of oral streptococci, a function that may contribute to bacterial clearance and nutrition. The fact that a-amylase is also found in acquired enamel pellicle suggests a role in the adhesion of a-amylase-binding bacteria. All of these biological activities seem to depend on an intact enzyme conformation. Binding of a-amylase to bacteria and teeth may have important implications for dental plaque and caries formation. a-Amylase bound to bacteria in plaque may facilitate dietary starch hydrolysis to provide additional glucose for metabolism by plaque microorganisms in close proximity to the tooth surface. The resulting lactic acid produced may be added to the pool of acid in plaque to contribute to tooth demineralization.

Key Words: {alpha}-amylase • oral streptococci • Streptococcus gordonii • S. mitis • saliva • dental caries • dental plaque.

Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine, Vol. 4, No. 3, 301-307 (1993)
DOI: 10.1177/10454411930040030701
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