The present invention provides compositions, medicaments, and methods for
the treatment or prophylaxis of conditions associated with the binding of
Streptococcus mutans to teeth. Specifically, the present invention
provides a method for preventing dental caries and infective endocarditis
in a subject by treating the subject's oral cavity with a composition or
medicament comprising the competence stimulating peptide (CSP) of the
causative bacterium, which inhibits the ability of the said bacteria to
attach to the surface of teeth. Novel anti-caries compositions using the
CSP are also disclosed.