Effect of sodium nitrite and ascorbic acid on the growth and acid production of Streptococcus mutans.

Unlabelled: Nitrite at acid pH has been shown to be antibacterial particularly against the highly cariogenic species Streptococcus mutans. Nitrite might yield nitrosamines in vivo but ascorbic acid (vitamin C) could counteract these potential ill effects. The aim of this study is to determine whether ascorbic acid would interfere with the ability of sodium nitrite to suppress growth and acid production of S.

Effects of nitrite and nitrate on the growth and acidogenicity of Streptococcus mutans.

Unlabelled: It is hypothesised that exogenous nitrite acidified by metabolic products of acidogenic bacteria in the mouth will be converted to products which inhibit growth of the bacteria in question which contribute to dental caries.

Objectives: The aims of this study were (1) to test the activity of both sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite at differing concentrations on the ability of Streptococcus mutans to lower the pH of its surroundings and hence (2) to determine whether either nitrate or nitrite might be bactericidal or bacteriostatic against S. mutans.