Effect of mixed mutans streptococci colonization on caries development.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical importance of mixed mutans streptococci colonization in predicting caries in preschool children.


METHODS
Caries prevalence was examined twice, with a 6-month interval, in 410 preschool children aged 3-4 years at baseline. A commercial strip method was used to evaluate the mutans streptococci score in plaque collected from eight selected interdental spaces and in saliva. Mutans streptococci typing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (Streptococcus sobrinus and Streptococcus mutans, including serotypes c, e, and f) were performed using colonies on the strips as template.


RESULTS
Twenty variables were examined in a univariate analysis to predict caries development: questionnaire variables, results of clinical examination, mutans streptococci scores, and PCR detection of S. sobrinus and S. mutans (including serotypes c, e, and f). Sixteen variables showed statistically significant associations (P < 0.04) in the univariate analysis. However, when entered into a logistic regression, only five variables remained significant (P < 0.05): caries experience at baseline; mixed colonization of S. sobrinus and S. mutans including S. mutans serotypes; high plaque mutans streptococci score; habitual use of sweet drinks; and nonuse of fluoride toothpaste.


CONCLUSIONS
'Mixed mutans streptococci colonization' is a novel measure correlated with caries development in their primary dentition.
Seki
M
M
Department of Oral Health Sciences, Dental Research Center, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. seki-m@dent.nihon-u.ac.jp
Yamashita
Y
Y
Shibata
Y
Y
Torigoe
H
H
Tsuda
H
H
Maeno
M
M
D001628:Beverages; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility / Q000502:physiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012703:Serotyping; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D016986:Streptococcus sobrinus / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000382:microbiology; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000032:analysis
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D011934:Reagent Strips; D014100:Toothpastes