Pre- and post-treatment levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in pre-school children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of operative and restorative treatment of dental caries on the levels of caries associated microorganisms in saliva and to relate alterations to the type and extent of treatment.


METHODS
Longitudinal.


METHODS
Paediatric Dentistry Department at a central hospital in Sweden.


METHODS
One hundred and eight pre-school children with severe dental caries scheduled for treatment under general anaesthesia. Chair-side tests were used to estimate the levels of salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and buffer capacity before the surgery and at recall appointments 1 and 6 months after treatment. Caries were assessed according to WHO guidelines and the number of extracted teeth and filled surfaces during surgery were recorded.


RESULTS
The results demonstrate that the post-treatment levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) compared to pretreatment levels. Lactobacilli levels were more dramatically reduced than mutans streptococci. The reduction of mutans streptococci was positively correlated to the number of extracted teeth (P < 0.01), but not to the number of restored or ground surfaces. Lactobacilli reduction was not significantly related to the type of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that extensive operative and restorative dental care effectively reduces the levels of caries associated with microorganisms during a period of at least 6 months.
Twetman
S
S
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Medical and Dental Center, Halmstad, Sweden.
Fritzon
B
B
Jensen
B
B
Hallberg
U
U
Ståhl
B
B
D000766:Anesthesia, Dental; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data