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Streptococcus mutans establishment and dental caries experience in children from 2 to 4 years old
Author(s) -
ALALUUSUA SATU,
RENKONEN OLLIVEIKKO
Publication year - 1983
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.1600-0722.1983.tb00845.x
Subject(s) - streptococcus mutans , saliva , dentition , medicine , dentistry , dental plaque , permanent dentition , early childhood caries , oral health , biology , genetics , bacteria
– 39 children were studied longitudinally at the age of 2, 3, and 4 yr for the colonization of S. mutans in plaque and saliva and for caries experience. S. mutans was found in 38% of the children, and the predominant serotype group was c/e/f. A total of 16 children got caries before the age of 4. Children who harbored S. mutans in their plaque at the age of 2, appeared to be the most caries‐active individuals. Their caries index values (number of decayed, missed and filled surfaces, dmfs = 10.6±5.3) at the age of 4 differed significantly from the values of children who harbored S. mutans later (dmfs = 3.4±1.8, P <0.005) or remained free from S. mutans infection (dmfs = 0.3±1.1, P <0.0003). It was thus concluded that the early establishment of S. mutans in the plaque of primary incisors indicated early and extensive caries attack in young primary dentition.