Human teeth are home to many different types of bacteria. This diverse oral microbiome ranges from microbes that are benign or even beneficial to those that can do some serious damage to our teeth. Tooth decay, also known as cavities in the U.S., is the most common human disease in the world, caused by a bacterial infection. Oral bacteria ferment sugars in the mouth, proliferate, and secrete excessive acid which leads to a breakdown of enamel and demineralization of the tooth structure. 

The most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults, tooth decay occurs when the good and bad bacteria in our mouth become imbalanced. The bad bacteria, Streptococcus mutans, forms a biofilm (aka tartar), then takes the sugars we eat and ferments them into acid, which decalcifies our teeth and causes cavities.

An expert in using computational and experimental techniques to combat infectious diseases, Illinois Bioengineering faculty and MMG member Paul Jensen is taking aim at one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the U.S.—tooth decay.