Abstract
Mutans streptococci (MS), including Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus have been implicated as primary causative agents of dental caries in humans and experimental animals. Dental plaque is formed through two different stages: initial and reversible cell-to-surface attachment and subsequent sucrose-dependent adhesion of the organisms that is firm and “irreversible.” This chapter outlines the protocol used to examine biofilm (dental plaque) development by mutans streptococci. Traditional and novel molecular biology techniques are required to understand the mechanism of the biofilm formation in the oral cavity. Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus apparently enjoy a favorite position among members of oral bacterial microbiota for the study of biofilms. It should be noted that similar biofilms are occasionally formed on heart valves that eventually leads to bacterial endocarditis. MS as well as other oral and enteric streptococcal species are reported to be etiologically involved.
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