A study of the interaction between oral streptococci and hard surfaces

A rotating disc method was used to compare the tendencies of two oral streptococci to deposit on to glass and polystyrene surfaces from electrolyte solutions of varying ionic strength. Streptococcus salivarius had a greater tendency to deposit than had Streptococcus mitior under these condition. In addition to the balance of van der Waals' forces of attraction and electrostatic forces of repulsion, it is suggested that the adsorption to the glass and polystyrene surfaces of material present in the outer layers of the cell wall could play a significant part in the deposition of S. salivarius.