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Streptococcus mutans
FOR causing cavities
Description
• Streptococcus mutans is a cylindrical shaped bacterium
that lives in the mouth.
• This bacterium survives in temperature ranging from 64104 degrees Fahrenheit
• It is important to understand this because almost half of all
dental visits are caused by Streptococcus mutans.
Most Common Injury
Cavity. A cavity develops when a tooth
decays, or breaks down. Cavities can
also be called dental caries, and if you
have a cavity, it’s important to get it
repaired.
How does a cavity form? There is a slimy
substance called plaque in the mouth
which is made up of germs.
Streptococcus mutans makes acids and
together with the plaque, the acids can
eat away at the outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel.
Eating candy frequently can also cause cavities because the
sugar creates an acidic environment in the mouth.
Victims
Cavities are usually found in children and young adults. (This
does not mean that adults will not get cavities, but they are at a
lesser risk of getting cavities).
Today: in the US, 54 million,
or 26 % of children aged two
to seventeen have no
cavities in their permanent
teeth. In baby teeth, 60% of
children under ten had no
cavities.
Past: 1971-1974, the percentage of children in the same age
group had more than double the amount of cavities
Last Spotted
• In the mouth we have
streptococci plates that
are found on all of our
teeth.
• There are many other
bacteria that live in our
mouth.
Streptococcus
mutans, makes up thirty
to sixty percent of the
total bacteria living on
the surfaces of human
teeth, tongue, cheeks,
and in saliva.
Treatment and Prevention
• Brush with proper technique twice a day.
Tilt brush at
a 45° angle
Bristles should Brush behind
your teeth
contact tooth
and gum line
Brush biting
surface of
teeth
• Floss with proper technique daily.
Wind 18” of
floss around
middle fingers
Hold floss
tightly
between
thumbs and
forefinger
Guide floss
tightly against
tooth
Curve floss in
C shape
between gum
and tooth
If your dentist discovers a cavity, he or she can repair it for you
by first removing the rotted part of your tooth with a special
drill. The dentist then fills the hole in your tooth with a special
material. The result is called a filling.
Does it hurt? Sometimes it does, but your dentist can give you
anesthetic. That's a kind of medicine that will numb the area
around the problem tooth while you're getting your new filling.
Next to the common cold, cavities
are the second most common of
disorders occurring in people. 2.43
billion people worldwide are
affected.
REWARD
Floss and a toothbrush