Study On The Acidogenicity-related Gene Expression Of Streptococcus Mutans And Its Relationship With Cariogenicity

Dental caries is one of the most common dental diseases in human, which seriously harms our oral health. It is affected by multiple factors, including cariogenic bacteria, host, diet, and time. Streptococcus mutans has been accepted as a cariogenic micro-organism and the main constituent of the plaques on the teeth. S. mutans produces acids by fermenting the fermentable carbohydrates in the diet, which reduces the environment pH. The balance between demineraliza- tion and remineralization of enamel is destroyed at the pH lower than pH5.5, and dental caries occurs. Most oral bacteria can not grow at low pH, while S. mutans can adapt to produce more acids at acidic environment. The acidogenicity and aciduricity of S. mutans is its important cariogenic factors. The individual caries activity is not necessarily related to the amount of the cariogenic bacteria, and may be associated with the different cariogenic abilities of the strains. The growth conditions can affect the growth and cariogenic abilities of S. mutans. Recent studies on the gene and protein expressions of S. mutans growing under different conditions, demonstrate that the responses of S. mutans to the fluctuant oral environment are complicated. These responses are involved with energy metabolism,...