Dental plaque pH and micro-organisms during hyposalivation.
We have previously reported that minor gland and whole saliva flow rates and salivary proteins showed differences in individuals with primary Sjögren's syndrome or head and neck radiation therapy, compared with controls (Eliasson et al., 2005). We now hypothesize that pH and number of acidogenic micro-organisms in dental plaque as well as saliva buffering capacity also differ in these individuals. Plaque pH was measured by the microtouch method up to 60 min after a sucrose rinse. Plaque collected from the same sites was analyzed for counts of total and acidic micro-organisms. Compared with their controls, the irradiated group but not the Sjögren's syndrome group displayed significantly lower plaque pH, increased numbers of lactobacilli and Candida species, as well as reduced buffering capacity. Stepwise regression tests suggested that the buccal minor-salivary-gland secretion rate in the test groups and counts of mutans streptococci in the controls were of significant importance for dental plaque pH.
Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Box 450, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. lars.e@telia.com
L
L
Eliasson
A
A
Carlén
A
A
Almståhl
M
M
Wikström
P
P
Lingström
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002021:Buffers; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration / Q000528:radiation effects; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012016:Reference Values; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D012472:Salivation / Q000528:radiation effects; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000528:radiation effects; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002021:Buffers