Microbiology: Streptococcus mutans



Microbiology: Streptococcus mutans

INTRODUCTION

Streptococcus mutans is a well-known dental pathogen, and the leading cause of tooth decay from around the world. Even though, Streptococcus mutans comprises the normal flora of the oral cavity, it is pathogenic properties results in several infections. In fact, the bacteria are popular for being one of the most cariogenic among all other streptococci of the oral cavity. Streptococcus mutans manages survival by adhering to the surface of teeth, and gums, and taking energy from a diverse group of carbohydrates. Furthermore, during the process of metabolizing these carbohydrates and other sources of energy, the bacteria produces acid. The acid produced is thought to be the significant culprit for tooth decay (Bacteria Genome 2013).

Streptococcus mutans is found in virtually everyone. Moreover, another common species frequently found with Streptococcus mutans is Streptococcus sobrinus, which is present in approximately 8 to 35 percent of the population in various countries, around the world. Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus can be distinguished from each other through appropriate tests; however, these laboratory tests are often time-consuming and expensive. For this reason, in large-scale epidemiological studies, the two species are studied together, for being practical (Bacteria Genome 2013).

Streptococcus mutans bacteria were described first in 1924, by JK Clark, when he isolated the species from a carious lesion. However, it was not until the 1960s when the researchers began to take a keen interest in this microbe while studying dental caries in Ernest. The organism has several hundred genes that were found to be unique by various researchers. These unique genes were the potential targets for drugs, as their disruption will disable the Streptococcus mutans without destroying the other bacterium in the oral cavity. This research paper describes the bacteria in details and explains the current and future researches on the topic. In this way, it aims to be significantly beneficial to have the thorough understanding of the subject (Bacteria Genome 2013).

DISCUSSION

Current Understanding

Since the beginning of the dental profession, dentists have been continuously attempting to provide effective treatment against the bacteria, as well as, educate people on ways to prevent the cavities from forming. Several years of numerous researches, occurring around the world, has found more than two to three hundred different species of bacteria to be the cause of cavity resulting in bio-film, known as plague. However, within the last few decades, researchers have been able to find the pathogenic cause of cavities linked to one particular bacterium, Streptococcus mutans. Following the isolation of this bacterium, researchers found that it produces lactic acid as a byproduct of its anaerobic fermentation, which is an extremely lethal substance for the outer surface of teeth (Bassett 2006).

What is Streptococcus mutans?

Streptococcus mutans is an anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium. Due to it anaerobic characteristic, the bacteria are likely to be found in spaces between the adjacent teeth, or the deep crevices of the biting surfaces, known as occlusal of teeth. In today's time, the researchers have been able to identify totally, as ...