Dental carries is caused by?

Ans. is 'b' i.e., Streptococcus mutans Viridans streptococci consists of multiple species of alpha hemolytic streptococci. Various species of viridans streptococci are - S. salivarius S. sanguis S. mitis S. mutans They are ordinarily nonpathogenic but can on occasion cause disease. In persons with preexisting cardiac lesions, they may cause bacterial endocarditis, Str. sanguis being most often responsible. Str. mutans is impoant in causation of dental caries. The transient viridans streptococcal bacteremia induced by eating, tooth-brushing, flossing and other source of minor trauma, together with adherence to biological surfaces, is thought to account for the predilection of these organisms to cause endocarditis. Viridans streptococci are also isolated, often as a pa of a mixed flora, from sites of sinusitis, brain abscess and liver abscess. Viridans streptococcal bacteremia occurs relatively frequently in neutropenic patients, paicularly after bone marrow transplantation or high dose chemotherapy for cancer. Treatment of varidans streptococcal infections include :- Bacteremia in neutropenic patients - Vancomycin. Other infection - Penicillin.