FIG 6.

Summary of conclusions. S. mutans utilizes sucrose to form sticky extracellular polysaccharides that facilitate attachment to the tooth surface and subsequent biofilm formation. (A) In the biofilm, bacterial metabolism of sucrose causes a decrease in the local pH, leading to demineralization of the tooth structure. (B) The presence of mucins in sucrose-supplemented growth medium decreases S. mutans attachment and biofilm formation on the tooth surface by maintaining S. mutans in the planktonic state.