Compounds which affect the adherence of Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans to hydroxyapatite

Several compounds were evaluated in an in vitro assay system for their ability to block the adherence of Streptococcus sanguis to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite and Streptococcus mutans to dextran-coated hydroxyapatitite. Fatty acids, ranging from C-12 to C-20, the enzyme amylase, chlorhexidine, human sera, and several serum proteins blocked S sanguis adherence to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite. Chlorhexidine blocked S mutans adherence to dextran-coated hydroxyapatite, but human sera and serum proteins did not. The effects of these compounds on the adherence of these organisms to hydroxyapatite may help in the development of specific plaque control methods for use in human populations.