Implantation and cariogenicity in hamsters of Streptococcus mutans with different hydrophobicity

Strains of Streptococcus mutans with different surface hydrophobicity were examined for their ability to colonize and induce carious lesions in hamsters given a high sucrose diet. In a short-term experiment the hydrophobic strain GW showed almost an identical colonization pattern compared to the hydrophilic strain GW36. Streptomycin resistant variants of GW and GW36 implanted at a much slower rate than the parent strains. Differences in caries score were observed between the strains. The cariogenicity of the strains seemed to be dependent on early colonization.