Streptococcus mutans
| Streptococcus mutans | |
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| Stain of S. mutans in thioglycollate broth culture. | |
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| Species: | S. mutans |
| Binomial name | |
| Streptococcus mutans Clarke 1924 | |
Streptococcus mutans is a gram-positive bacteria that lives in the mouth, specifically on teeth. This bacteria grows optimally in the range of 18-40 degrees Celsius. First described by James Killian Clarke in 1924, the bacteria is the most common cause of tooth decay and cavities.
Role in tooth decay
Along with Neisseria spp., various species of streptococci, including ``S. mutans``, and some fungi, form a biofilm known as dental plaque. S. mutans plays a major role in tooth decay, metabolizing sucrose into lactic acid.
References
- ↑ "The Biology of Streptococcus mutans". National Library Of Medicine.
- 1 2 Loesche WJ (1996). "Ch. 99: Microbiology of Dental Decay and Periodontal Disease". In Baron S (ed.). Baron's Medical Microbiology (4th ed.). University of Texas Medical Branch. ISBN 978-0-9631172-1-2. PMID 21413316.
- ↑ Vinogradov AM, Winston M, Rupp CJ, Stoodley P (2004). "Rheology of biofilms formed from the dental plaque pathogen Streptococcus mutans". Biofilms. 1: 49–56. doi:10.1017/S1479050503001078.
