Are your teeth being attacked by terrorists? Whether you realize it or not, your teeth, in fact, are. Streptococcus mutans in many ways is a terrorist to our teeth. S. mutans can, most commonly, be recognized as plaque on the surface of teeth. This particular bacterium metabolizes sucrose producing polysaccharides, so the bacteria can cohere to one another. Once S. mutans secures itself to the tooth's surface, acids are secreted. This acid causes the breakdown of tooth enamel, which is ultimately the host of S. mutans. Breaking down tooth enamel causes dental carries, which is a prevalent disease among mankind.

       Most all of us at some point in our lives have experienced dental caries. One may wonder why dental caries are so common? Simply, S. mutans feeds off of sucrose, which is found in our life-sustaining substance, food. In order to prevent dental caries, it is necessary to brush our teeth after each meal. Although this statement may seem cliché, it is the single most effective way to rid the mouth of as much sucrose as possible. So, brush, brush, brush, so S. mutans is no longer a terrorist in your mouth!