[The role of Streptococcus mutans in the oral biofilm].

Streptococcus mutans is one of the primary colonizers of the oral cavity. Carriage of the appropriate virulence factors - production of glucans, acid resistance, natural competence, and ability to form compact biofilm, confers a certain advantage to S. mutans over other primary colonizers. It is believed to be the main etiological agent of dental caries. Currently, dental caries seems to be a phenomenon related to the meta-bolic activity of bacteria in the oral biofilm with an impact not only on health but also on socio-economic outcome.