Correlation between Streptococcus mutans level in saliva and caries status in children

VernacularTitle:唾液变形链球菌浓度与年轻恒牙患龋的相关性研究
Author: Xiao HONG ¹ ; De-Yu HU
Author Information

1. 四川大学华西口腔医学院
Keywords: Streptococcus mutans; Dental caries; Caries risk assessment
From: Chinese Journal of Stomatology 2009;44(2):76-78
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To investigate the distribution pattern of salivary Streptococcus mutans(Sm) level in children and its association with caries status. Methods Three hundred and sixty-five 11-12-year-old children participated in this study. Scores of decayed, missing or filled teeth (DMFT) for the permanent dentition were recorded. Salivary Sm concentrations were determined by species-specific monoclonal antibodies. Results Caries-affected children harbored more Sm in saliva [5.53(1.50,18.00) × 107/L] than their caries-free counterparts [ 3.42 (1.60,8.10) × 107/L] ( P =0. 002). Salivary Sm concentration tended to rise with the increase of DMFT score. Spearman's correlation coefficient for Sm concentration was 0. 136 (P =0. 010). When salivary Sin concentration reached 8. 64 ×107/L, children's caries experience doubled. Conclusions Salivary Sm level has a skewed distribution among the children studied and associates positively with caries presence. Determination of salivary Sm levels could be used to predict children's caries status.