There is abundant epidemiological evidence that dietary
sugars are the major dietary factor affecting dental caries
prevalence and progression (for review, see reference 16).
Sucrose appears to be the most cariogenic sugar, not only
because its metabolism produces acid, but also because MS
utilize this sugar to produce the extracellular polysaccharide
glucan. Glucan polymers are believed to enable MS to both
adhere firmly to teeth and to inhibit diffusion properties of
plaque.