Inhibition of the growth of <i>S</i>. <i>mutans</i> strains by (A) <i>S</i>. <i>mitis</i> and (B) <i>S</i>. <i>sanguinis</i>.

<p><i>S</i>. <i>mitis</i> or <i>S</i>. <i>sanguinis</i> was inoculated first and grown for 24 h at 37°C in an anaerobic (anaerobic <i>S</i>. <i>mit</i>/<i>S</i>. <i>san</i> first) or aerobic (aerobic <i>S</i>. <i>mit</i>/<i>S</i>. <i>san</i> first) atmosphere. Then, <i>S</i>. <i>mutans</i> strains were inoculated next to these colonizers, and the plates were incubated for 24 h. The <i>S</i>. <i>mitis</i> or <i>S</i>. <i>sanguinis</i> strain and <i>S</i>. <i>mutans</i> were inoculated simultaneously on the plate and incubated for 24 h at 37°C under aerobic conditions (simultaneous aerobic). <i>S</i>. <i>m</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>mutans</i>; <i>S</i>. <i>mit</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>mitis</i>; <i>S</i>. <i>san</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>sanguinis</i>.