Streptococcus mutans: has it become prime perpetrator for oral manifestations?

Abstract

The oral cavity of humans and animals is a perfect ecological niche for a range of microbial agents and some of these are capable of inflicting severe clinical conditions. These clinical conditions can lead to manifestations which could escort dire consequences. It could in fact be claimed that the major vicinity of the oral facet has been dominated by several microorganisms. Niches like teeth, gingival sulcus, tongue, cheeks, hard and soft palates, and tonsils are prime spots for the microbes to reside. In fact these areas are dominated by certain species of bacteria and one of the prime contenders that invade these oral areas is Streptococcus species. Among these species, S. mutans are widely regarded as one of the most dominant agent.1,2 Several demonstrative attempts and scientific studies have validated that the oral cavity harbors a plethora of microbial agents of many Streptococci species and it is undeniable fact that many of these species share some common facets. These features could range from their habitat to their feeding habits and their basic mode of survival.3