Ratiometric imaging of extracellular pH in Streptococcus mutans biofilms exposed to different flow velocities and saliva film thicknesses.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Fluid flow has a prominent influence on the metabolism of surface-attached biofilms. Dental biofilms are covered by a thin saliva film that flows at different rates in different locations under stimulated and unstimulated conditions. Methods:The present study employed pH ratiometry to study the impact of different flow velocities, saliva film thicknesses and saliva concentrations on microscale pH developments in Streptococcus mutans biofilms of different age. Results:While saliva flow at a velocity of 0.8 mm/min (unstimulated flow) had little impact on biofilm pH, stimulated flow (8 mm/min; 80 mm/min) affected vertical pH gradients in the biofilms and raised the average pH in 48-h biofilms, but not in 72-h and 168-h biofilms. The saliva film thickn

SUBMITTER: Kristensen MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8291056 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature