“Colonization of the Human Oral Cavity by a Streptococcus Mutans Mutant Producing Increased Bacteriocin”, J. D. Hillman, A. L. Dzuback, S. W. Andrews1987-06 ()⁠:

[background] Streptococcus mutans strain JH1005 is a mutant that produces levels of bacteriocin activity 3×-elevated than those produced by its parent, JH1001.

A single infection regimen with JH1005 was found to result in persistent colonization of the teeth of all 3 adult subjects tested. This is a large improvement over JH1001 [Hillman et al 1984, Hillman et al 1985], which required multiple exposures in order to colonize the teeth of humans reliably.

The levels of total cultivable bacteria and indigenous S. sanguis were not affected by JH1005 colonization. In 2⁄3 subjects, total (indigenous plus JH1005) S. mutans levels were substantially decreased.

The results provide additional support for the role of bacteriocin production as an ecological determinant in colonization by S. mutans. They also indicate that a practical regimen for infection by an effector strain might be achieved for use in the replacement therapy of dental caries.

Figure 1: The proportion of total S. mutans that was JH1005 is plotted against time for Subject 1 (—x—), Subject 2 (—o—), and subject 3 (—□—).

…The subjects’ teeth were polished with pumice and a rubber cup [i.e teeth cleaning?]. The suspension of JH1005 was then flossed and brushed onto their teeth for three minutes. Unattached cells were removed by repeated rinses with water.