Fluoride resistance in Streptococcus mutans: a mini review

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Dental Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Fluoride is a long-established anti-caries agent, inhibiting bacterial growth and metabolism.
• Fluoride's antimicrobial action affects bacterial acidogenicity, acidurance, and adherence to teeth.
• Oral bacteria can develop fluoride resistance via phenotypic adaptation or genotypic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the characteristics of fluoride-resistant bacterial strains.
• To explore the mechanisms underlying fluoride resistance in oral bacteria.
• To highlight recent discoveries, such as fluoride exporters, and focus on Streptococcus mutans.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on fluoride resistance in oral bacteria.
• Analysis of genotypic and phenotypic resistance mechanisms.
• Focus on research concerning Streptococcus mutans fluoride resistance.

Main Results:

• Genotypic changes confer stable and high-level fluoride resistance.
• Fluoride exporters represent a significant recent discovery in resistance mechanisms.
• Streptococcus mutans exhibits extensively studied fluoride resistance.

Conclusions:

• Understanding fluoride resistance mechanisms is crucial for maintaining fluoride's efficacy in caries prevention.
• Further research into fluoride exporters and resistant strains like Streptococcus mutans is warranted.
• Developing strategies to overcome bacterial fluoride resistance is essential for public dental health.