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Streptococcus mutans in plaque and saliva and the development of caries
Author(s) -
KÖHLER BIRGITTA,
PETTERSSON BRITTMARIE,
BRATTHALL DOUGLAS
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1981.tb01273.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus mutans , saliva , dental plaque , dentistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biofilm , medicine , chemistry , biology , bacteria , genetics
— Plaque samples from 10 different tooth surfaces of 10 schoolchildren with Varied Caries experience (DFS 10‐33) were collected five times during 2.5 years. The samples were examined with an immunofluorescent technique for identification and enemeration of Sreptococcus mutans scrotypes C/e/f and d/g. At each sampling occasion the children were scored for caries. A Stimulated saliva sample was also collected and the number of S. mutans per ml salva was determined. The salva level of S. Mutans was Shown to reflect the prevalence and proportion of this microorganism on theselected surfaces. Five surfaces carried S. nutans at each sampling. Four of these surfaces showed progressive caries. S. mutans infection was also found to precede the development of incipient caries on four surfaces. Eighty percent of the surfaces that stayed sound were only transiently carrriers of S. mutans in mainly very low numbers. Serotype c/e/f dominated in prevalence and proportion on the surfaces with a history of caries during the study.