Final answer:
The early bacterial colonizers of tooth surfaces that are involved in the initial stages of dental plaque formation are Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii.The correct option is D.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early bacterial colonizers of tooth surfaces are primarily involved in the initial stages of dental plaque formation. Among the options provided, Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii are recognized as early colonizers.
They adhere to the clean tooth surface through interactions between bacterial adhesins and acquired pellicle receptors. Once adhered, these initial colonizers can multiply and lay the groundwork for subsequent bacterial attachment, forming a complex community.
Streptococcus mutans, while important in the development of dental caries, is not typically considered an early colonizer. As such, the answer is (d) Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii.The correct option is D.