Streptococcus mutans is a stealthy bacterium. It lives in your mouth, clings to your teeth, and wreaks havoc on oral health. S. mutans thrives on sugar, converting it into acid that erodes enamel and leads to cavities. It’s a primary source of tooth decay, making preventative measures and effective oral hygiene vital for a healthy mouth and cavity-free teeth.
Streptococcus Mutans
Streptococcus mutans is a gram-positive bacteria predominantly found on the surface of the teeth, particularly in dental plaque—a biofilm that sticks to the tooth’s surface.
Streptococcus mutans feeds on sugars from our diet, and produce lactic acid as a byproduct. This acid demineralizes tooth enamel and leads to cavities. It can also thrive in conditions of low pH, or acidity, favoring an environment below pH 6. One to six on the pH scale is acidic, seven is neutral, and eight to fourteen is alkaline. The pH level of our mouths is affected by the foods and drinks that we consume, and a more acidic environment erodes enamel and leads to cavities....
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