The antibacterial action of the various components of the lactoperoxidase system on a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans.

Physiological activity of lactoperoxidase and in vivo concentration of thiocyanate ions were shown to be inhibitory against a cariogenic strain of Streptococcus mutans. However, the amount of H2O2 in vivo may be too low for optimum inhibition by lactoperoxidase system. H2O2 alone also inhibited the growth of S mutants to some degree.