Surface potential and adherence of oral streptococci to solid surfaces

Strains of oral streptococci belonging to the same species but with different ζ‐potential adhere with different strengths or become desorbed at different rates. However, strains of various species but with approximately the same ζ‐potential also adhere differently. The adherence was found to be affected by the presence of polyvalent counter ions in the suspending medium. This seemed to be related to a change in the surface potential of the microorganisms studied.