Bacteria Blamed for Rapid Tooth Decay Open Wide, Genomically

Tooth decay is bad enough when it is caused by Streptococcus mutans , a common bacterium that forms tartar. But tooth decay is even worse if S. mutans is joined by a relatively rare bacterium, S. sobrinus . When S. sobrinus is present, the sugars we eat are converted into acids more quickly, accelerating the decalcification of teeth and the formation of cavities.To find out why S. mutans and S. sobrinus make such a destructive duo, a team of bioengineers at the University of Illinois College of