Streptococcus mutans, Caries and Simulation Models 英文参考文献.docVIP

Nutrients 2010, 2, 290-298; doi:10.3390/nu2030290 OPEN ACCESS nutrients ISSN 2072-6643 /journal/nutrients Review Streptococcus mutans, Caries and Simulation Models Sofia D. Forssten *, Marika Bj?rklund and Arthur C. Ouwehand Danisco Finland, Sokeritehtaantie 20, 02460 Kantvik, Finland; E-Mail: marika.bjorklund@ (M.B.); arthur.ouwehand@ (A.C.O.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: E-Mail: sofia.forssten@; Tel.:+35-840-536-7810, Fax: +35-892-982-203. Received: 24 December 2009 / Accepted: 23 February 2010 / Published: 2 March 2010 Abstract: Dental caries and dental plaque are among the most common diseases worldwide, and are caused by a mixture of microorganisms and food debris. Specific types of acid-producing bacteria, especially Streptococcus mutans, colonize the dental surface and cause damage to the hard tooth structure in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates e.g., sucrose and fructose. This paper reviews the link between S. mutans and caries, as well as different simulation models that are available for studying caries. These models offer a valuable approach to study cariogenicity of different substrates as well as colonization of S. mutans. Keywords: Caries; Streptococcus mutans; carbohydrates; simulation; hydroxyapatite; artificial saliva 1. Introduction Dental caries is one of the most common and costly diseases in the world, and although rarely life threatening it is a major problem for health service providers. In order to decrease the prevalence of caries, an improved understanding of the role of the microorganisms in dental diseases is needed [1]. The tooth surface is covered with a biofilm–a slime layer consisting of millions of bacterial cells, salivary polymers, and food debris. Uncontrolled, this biofilm can easily reach a thickness of hundreds of cells on the surfaces of the teeth. The formed biofilm, also called plaque, provi