Effects of Salivary Proteins on the Adsorption of Cariogenic Streptococci by Hydroxyapatite

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Abstract
Hydroxyapatite-absorbable salivary proteins decidedly inhibited the hydroxyapatite adsorption of human and hamster cariogenic Streptococcus mutans with a dextran extracellular capsule. The inhibition was due primarily to shielding of the hydroxyapatite surface from the bacteria by absorbed protein rather than shielding of the bacteria from the hydroxyapatite. Materials in saliva other than hydroxyapatite adsorbable salivary proteins did not decidedly affect bacterial adsorption, which probably occurred by adsorption of the dextran capsule.