Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria in caries-free and caries-active children.
BACKGROUND
Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria have been shown to be significantly correlated with caries experience in adults but not as yet in children.


OBJECTIVE
Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria are positively associated with caries experience in children.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the salivary concentrations of Bifidobacteria of caries-free and caries-active children.


METHODS
Saliva was collected using the tongue-loop method from 38 caries-active children and from 22 clinically caries-free children, and the numbers of Bifidobacteria, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts were determined. Additionally, the age and gender of the children, a plaque index, sugar amount in diet, sugar frequency in diet, hygiene practice and fluoride toothpaste usage were recorded.


RESULTS
Bifidobacteria were isolated from 95% of the caries-active children and from only 9% of the caries-free children (P < 0.001). Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria were significantly correlated with amount of sugar in the diet, frequency of sugar consumption and oral hygiene practice. The significant variables that discriminated between the caries-free and caries-active subjects were salivary levels of Bifidobacteria, salivary levels of mutans streptococci and oral hygiene practice (χ(2) = 72.57, P < 0.001) and overall 90.0% of cases were correctly classified.


CONCLUSIONS
Salivary levels of Bifidobacteria are significantly associated with caries experience in children. The salivary levels of this genus may be a useful marker of caries risk.
Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Dental Institute, King's College London, England, UK.
Ravinder
R
Kaur
Steven C
SC
Gilbert
Evelyn C
EC
Sheehy
David
D
Beighton
D058491:Bacterial Load; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000382:microbiology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000382:microbiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015003:Yeasts / Q000302:isolation & purification
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides