Inhibition of adsorption of Streptococcus mutans strains to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite by galactose and certain amines.

Adsorption of all of eight strains of Streptococcus mutans to saliva-treated hydroxyapatite (S-HA) surfaces was inhibited by galactose and melibiose, but not by other neutral sugars tested. This observation supports the hypothesis that lectin-like components participate in the attachment of these streptococci to salivary glycoproteins on saliva-treated hydroxyapatite surfaces. Adsorption of all strains was also inhibited by iodoacetate and spermine; other amines tested reduced adsorption of some strains, but not others.