Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli, and caries experience in older adults.
This study investigated salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli, and caries experience in a random sample of 448 black and 362 white older dentate adults living in North Carolina. Significant proportions of the participants had stimulated salivary flow rates less than 1.0 mL/min, salivary buffering capacity less than 4.0, S. mutans levels of 10(5) cfu/mL or more in stimulated whole saliva, or lactobacilli levels of 10(5) cfu/mL or more. Each of these factor levels could be considered, on a clinical basis, to increase caries risk. In general, people with higher levels of S. mutans or lactobacilli had more untreated coronal and root caries, but not greater total caries experience.
Hunt
R J
RJ
School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Drake
C W
CW
Beck
J D
JD
D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D017213:Root Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D012636:Secretory Rate; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification*