Streptococcus mutans

[Lao Tzu]

does anyone know what all this bacteria can convert to lactic acid? is it just simple sugars or what? what about fructose, lactose, complex carbs, etc? if i drink milk will that affect cavities?

in florida they just invented a strain of Streptococcus mutans that doesn't produce lactic acid as a by product. This strain is also dominant over lactic acid producing strains. The hope is that by 2005 we will be able to infect people's mouths with this new strain to replace the lactic acid producing strain of Streptococcus mutans, cutting cavities significantly.

God i'm fun.

 

[HappyScrappy]

from what I have read in the past and what I've been told (my uncle is a dentist), it breaks down sucrose to glucose and fructose - but doesn't break down the latter any further (some little cranny of my mind recalls something about the former being soluble and the latter two being insoluble... however the hell one spells that).

Honey is made of glucose and fructose, and it doesn't cause cavities - it doesn't feed the bacteria.

Supposedly the worst for your teeth aren't things like pure sugar candies, but instead sticky carbs that hang around in your teeth longer (crackers, breads, toffee, etc).

I've read about that new strain as well and I am psyched for it, I have cavities on every one of my molars - I'm VERY anal about taking care of my teeth, yet I still get them all over b/c when I had my braces off, they tore off all of the side enamel and I got cavities.
the dentists always treat me as if I eat sand and never brush my teeth b/c of all the cavities, but then are suprised that they are all on the sides and not on the top of the tooth (the latter being the more common I guess).

As for various things having more of an effect on conversion - I don't know. From what I hear, the most important thing is how long the stuff stays present for the bacteria to have access to it - milk doesn't stay around all that long.

 

[vixenbabe]

From what I hear, the most important thing is how long the stuff stays present for the bacteria to have access to it - milk doesn't stay around all that long.

One of the first things my ped doctor preached about was allowing a toddler to bed at night with a bottle. If the child is allowed to suck on a bottle he/she may not swallow the liquid as they fall asleep- leaving ANY sugars behind to attack the teeth.

 

[HappyScrappy]

One of the first things my ped doctor preached about was allowing a toddler to bed at night with a bottle. If the child is allowed to suck on a bottle he/she may not swallow the liquid as they fall asleep- leaving ANY sugars behind to attack the teeth.

that is the EXACT reason I no longer go to sleep with a bottle.