Chapter 24, Problem 1SA

Describe two characteristics of Streptococcus mutans that contribute to its ability to cause dental caries.

Summary Introduction

To review:

The two characteristics of Streptococcus mutans, which contribute to its ability to the cause of dental caries.

Introduction:

Streptococcus mutans is the Gram-positive and facultatively anaerobic bacteria, which occurs in the human oral cavity and is also known to be the significant contributor to cause dental caries or tooth decay. This bacteria is present in the human oral microbiota and leads to caries in the tooth.

Explanation of Solution

The growth and the metabolism of the microorganism alter the local environmental conditions, such as substrate availability, coaggregation, and pH (potential of hydrogen). This enables more fastidious organisms to colonize after this and leads to the formation of dental plaque. This microorganism also plays a vital role in the tooth decay; it has the ability to metabolize the sucrose enzyme into lactic acid by using glucansucrase. The acidic environment designed in the mouth by this process leads to highly mineralized tooth enamel and making it vulnerable to decay.

This microorganism is one the organism, which is equipped with the receptors that are responsible for improving the adhesion to the teeth surface. It uses sucrose in order to generate sticky, dextran-based, and extracellular polysaccharide, which allows them to cohere and forms plaque.

Conclusion

Therefore, it can be concluded that the Streptococcus mutans converts sucrose to lactic acid and it changes the environmental conditions of the oral cavity.