Effect of utilization of substrates on the composition of dental plaque

Abstract

The microbiota in the mouth is subjected to substrate limitations. In this study we have evaluated the role of competition for carbon and energy substrates on the proportions of 2 microbial species in a simplified plaque ecosystem in gnotobiotic rats. Germ-free rats were inoculated with a combination of Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans, or with a combination of Streptococcus milleri and S. mutans. The available carbon and energy sources were varied through the host's diet. 3 Experimental diets were tested: (i) a basal diet low in soluble carbohydrates; (ii) an arginine-supplemented diet; (iii) a sucrose-supplemented diet. Arginine is used for growth by S. sanguis and S. milleri, but not by S. mutans. Sucrose is rapidly fermented by all 3 species. The total number of viable organisms on the dentition increased when arginine or sucrose were supplied in the diet. With the arginine-supplemented diet, S. sanguis and S. milleri increased while S. mutans decreased. With the sucrose-supplemented diet, S. mutans increased while S. sanguis and S. milleri decreased. These results were explained by assuming that the organism with the highest growth rate on the supplementary substrate competes most favourably. Changes in the environmental pH, due to breakdown of sucrose and arginine, might also have affected the competition between the streptococci. In addition, production of extracellular glucans from sucrose could be a competitive advantage for S. mutans.