Streptococcus mutans
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Streptococcus mutans is a gram positive, facultative anaerobe part of the streptococcus genus of bacteria. It is commonly found in the oral cavity of humans and is the main contributor to tooth decay.
Sucrose is digested by this bacterium to lactic acid. The acidic environment created in the mouth is what causes the highly mineralized enamel of teeth to be vulnerable to tooth decay.
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References
- MCHoralhealth.org (http://www.mchoralhealth.org/OpenWide/mod1_2.htm)
- About.com (http://experts.about.com/q/1640/2335783.htm)
- www.arches.uga.edu (http://www.arches.uga.edu/~corygres/links/Strepto.html)
