Microbiota of Plaque Microcosm Biofilms: Effect of Three Times Daily Sucrose Pulses in Different Simulated Oral Environments

Abstract

Modest sucrose exposure in a saliva-like environment causes profound changes in the developmental self-organization of plaque microcosms, supporting the Ecological Plaque Hypothesis. Nevertheless, there is significant stability in microbial composition with varying pH near neutrality. Increases in levels of specific bacteria in response to sucrose could be characteristic of organisms particularly important in caries.