The association of mutans streptococci and non-mutans streptococci capable of acidogenesis at a low pH with dental caries on enamel and root surfaces.
Coronal dental plaque from each of 12 caries-positive subjects (Group I) was pooled from "white spot" tooth surface areas and, separately, from sound surface areas; sound surface areas in each of 18 caries-free subjects (Group II) were sampled similarly. Two samples, one consisting of material from a root-surface lesion and another of plaque from a sound root-surface area, were obtained from each of another 10 subjects (Group III). The samples from Groups I and II were evaluated for: (1) pH-lowering potential in vitro with dispersed plaque suspensions, excess glucose supply, and a 60-minute test; (2) the levels of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli; and (3) the distribution of the predominant non-mutans streptococci (non-MS) according to their final pH in glucose broth; only microbial analysis was done for the Group III samples. The levels of the MS were generally positively associated with caries. A weaker positive association was found for the levels of those non-MS capable of acidogenesis at low pH (final pH < 4.4). The latter generally far outnumbered the MS in all types of samples. The levels of lactobacilli were nearly always very low. The pH-lowering potential (final pH and pH drop rate) was higher for plaque from "white spot" areas than for plaque from sound surface areas (Group I). The samples from caries-free subjects (Group II), however, exhibited a pH-lowering potential which was not significantly different from that of both types of samples from the caries-active subjects (Group I).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Sansone
C
C
Department of Oral Microbiology, Forsyth Dental Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Van Houte
J
J
Joshipura
K
K
Kent
R
R
Margolis
H C
HC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017213:Root Caries / Q000382:microbiology; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification