Restorative & Materials · single question
What bacteria are responsible for enamel caries?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Streptococcus mutans
- A. Lactobacillus species are associated with DENTINAL caries progression — they are secondary colonizers in deep carious lesions, not primary initiators of enamel caries.
- B. F. nucleatum is a periodontal organism — it does not cause dental caries.
- C. P. gingivalis is a periodontal pathogen — it does not cause dental caries.
- D. STREPTOCOCCUS MUTANS is the PRIMARY bacteria responsible for ENAMEL CARIES. S. mutans produces organic acids (primarily lactic acid) through fermentation of dietary carbohydrates, dropping plaque pH below 5.5 and initiating enamel demineralization. S. mutans also has high acidurance (survives at low pH), synthesizes extracellular polysaccharides for adhesion, and produces glucosyltransferases. Lactobacillus species are more important in DENTINAL CARIES.
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