Team:UT Dallas/Project

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Streptococcus mutans has been determined to be the primary contributor to dental plaque and in the formation of dental cavities. S. mutans is able to do this by converting sucrose into lactic acid, contributing to plaque formation. Their capability to rapidly ferment lactic acid under low pH levels helps create cavities in conjunction with adherence to the biofilm. In the oral cavity, biofilms cover a majority of the surfaces. Dextran is the polysaccharide matrix that anchors the bacteria together to create the optimal platform for creation of the biofilm. In order to create the most effective tooth-decay prevention device, we engineered new biobricks to exploit these characteristics of cavity formation due to S. mutans.