Database: MEDLINE <: biomedical, nursing & dental literature, 1966 - Oct 2000.> Search Strategy (You Saved Citations 1-300 From Set 57): ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 exp Tooth demineralization/ 22628 2 demineralization.mp. 1620 3 caries.mp. 15295 4 caires.mp. 1 5 craies.mp. 0 6 careis.mp. 4 7 carise.mp. 0 8 (teeth adj3 cavit:).mp. 422 9 (tooth adj3 cavit:).mp. 217 10 (dental adj3 cavit:).mp. 276 11 (dentin adj3 cavit:).mp. 254 12 (enamel adj3 cavit:).mp. 182 13 (teeth adj3 decay:).mp. 374 14 (tooth adj3 decay:).mp. 321 15 (dental adj3 decay:).mp. 250 16 (dentin adj3 decay:).mp. 12 17 (enamel adj3 decay:).mp. 20 18 (active adj decay).mp. 9 19 (rampant adj3 decay:).mp. 14 20 (recurrent adj3 decay:).mp. 30 21 (white adj spot:).mp. 509 22 carious.mp. 2077 23 cariology.ti,ab. 56 24 (non-cavitated adj3 lesion:).mp. 15 25 (noncavitated adj3 lesion:).mp. 2 26 Tooth remineralization/ 478 27 (dental adj3 fissure:).mp. 99 28 (tooth adj3 fissure:).mp. 50 29 (teeth adj3 fissure:).mp. 98 30 caries-free.mp. 603 31 cariesfree.mp. 17 32 Cariogenic agents/ 728 33 precavit:.mp. 8 34 (filled adj3 teeth).mp. 510 35 (filled adj3 tooth).mp. 117 36 (oral adj fissure:).mp. 6 37 (tooth adj3 remineraliz:).mp. 28 38 (teeth adj3 remineraliz:).mp. 24 39 dft.mp. 413 40 dfs.mp. 1258 41 dmf:.mp. 6397 42 cariogeni:.mp. 1787 43 or/1-42 32256 44 Dental plaque/ 10264 45 ((tooth or teeth or dent:) adj3 (placque or plaque)).mp. 3494 46 or/43-45 40621 47 exp Lactobacillaceae/ 7143 48 lactobacill:.mp. 8408 49 "L.".mp. 269618 50 acidophilus.mp. 700 51 casei.mp. 1310 52 or/50-51 1928 53 or/47-49 276468 54 52 and 53 1866 55 or/47-48,54 8443 56 46 and 55 866 57 limit 56 to (human and english language) 638 58 from 57 keep 1-300 300 59 from 57 keep 301-600 300 *************************** <1> UI - 91217299 AU - Meyerowitz C AU - Featherstone JD AU - Billings RJ AU - Eisenberg AD AU - Fu J AU - Shariati M AU - Zero DT IN - Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Rochester, New York 14642. TI - Use of an intra-oral model to evaluate 0.05% sodium fluoride mouthrinse in radiation-induced hyposalivation. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1991 May;70(5):894-8 AB - The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a twice-daily topical application of a 0.05% NaF mouthrinse on de- and remineralization in the oral cavities of subjects suffering from radiation-induced hyposalivation. Six subjects each wore a bonded intra-oral appliance containing a sound and a demineralized human enamel slab for four weeks. During that period, the subjects used 0.05% NaF rinses, twice daily, instead of the 1.1% NaF gel that had previously been a part of their preventive regimen. Salivary flow rates, plaque pH profiles following a 10% sucrose rinse, S. mutans and lactobacillus counts, fluoride clearance, and enamel microhardness were determined during the study. Sound enamel samples displayed no evidence of demineralization, and the previously demineralized enamel showed remineralization in the outer 50 microns in three of the six subjects. The results suggest that a twice-daily oral rinse with 0.05% NaF can prevent demineralization and enhance remineralization in subjects with radiation-induced hyposalivation. <2> UI - 91154520 AU - Hojo S AU - Takahashi N AU - Yamada T IN - Department of Oral Biochemistry, Tohoku University School of Dentistry, Sendai, Japan. TI - Acid profile in carious dentin. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1991 Mar;70(3):182-6 AB - Organic acids in carious dentin from 69 permanent teeth were analyzed by gas chromatography. Lactate, acetate, propionate, and butyrate were detected in most samples, and limited amounts of isobutyrate, valerate, isovalerate, caproate, and isocaproate were occasionally detected. Lactate, acetate, and propionate were major acids and altogether accounted for about 90% of total acid in most samples of carious dentin. However, the proportion of these three acids varied among the samples. Some samples contained over 85% lactate, while others contained mainly acetate and propionate. A high percentage of acetate was usually accompanied by an appreciable amount of propionate. All seven samples in carious dentin under fillings or restorations had little lactate, but a high percentage of acetate plus propionate. The differences in acid profiles of carious dentin may reflect differences in the microbial ecology of carious dentin, and a stage of progress of dentin caries or a type of dentin caries. <3> UI - 91163913 AU - Epstein JB AU - McBride BC AU - Stevenson-Moore P AU - Merilees H AU - Spinelli J IN - Cancer Control Agency of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. TI - The efficacy of chlorhexidine gel in reduction of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species in patients treated with radiation therapy. SO - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology 1991 Feb;71(2):172-8 AB - Xerostomia may develop in patients with cancer who receive radiotherapy that includes the salivary glands in the field. These patients are at high risk of rampant dental caries. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species have been associated with dental caries. Quantitative counts of these organisms demonstrated high caries risk due to streptococci in 66% and due to lactobacilli in 100% of patients studied. Use of chlorhexidine rinse was shown to reduce S. mutans counts 1.1 logs and lactobacilli 1.1 logs. The use of chlorhexidine gel resulted in a reduction of S. mutans 1.2 logs and lactobacilli 2.2 logs. In the subjects using the rinse, caries risk due to streptococci was reduced to low levels in 44% and due to lactobacilli in only one subject, with reduction to moderate risk in one third and no change in risk in the remaining patients. The use of chlorhexidine gel was found to reduce the caries risk associated with streptococci to low levels in all patients, and the risk associated with lactobacilli to low and moderate risk in two thirds of patients. <4> UI - 92051835 AU - Bayona-Gonzalez A AU - Lopez-Camara V AU - Gomez-Castellanos A IN - National University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City. TI - Final results of a dental caries clinical trial using heat killed lactic bacteria (Streptococci and Lactobacilli) orally. SO - Practica Odontologica 1990 Jun;11(6):41-7 AB - The results of a dental caries clinical trial in 245 seven-year-old children are reported. Chewable tablets of two different types were prepared: A) Containing pyridoxine (Vit. B6) and heat-killed lactic bacteria. B) Placebo tablets with pyridoxine only. They were randomly given once a week for 16 weeks to experimental and control groups respectively. Four evaluation surveys were conducted during 24 months of follow up, using the "Decay, Missing, Filled, Surfaces" index (DMFS) for the clinical evaluation of the permanent teeth. A consistent reduction in the incidence of dental caries in the experimental group was observed in all 4 surveys. After 2 years of follow up a 42% reduction in the incidence rate of dental caries was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. Summary tables and discussion of the clinical evaluation surveys are given. The potential use of these clinical findings as support for a future dental caries vaccine evaluation project is proposed. <5> UI - 91279251 AU - Bowden GH AU - Ekstrand J AU - McNaughton B AU - Challacombe SJ IN - Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. TI - Association of selected bacteria with the lesions of root surface caries. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1990 Dec;5(6):346-51 AB - Plaque from the root surfaces of 165 subjects (mean age 65.5 years, 22-26 teeth/subject) was analysed for specific bacteria. Five subject groups were defined: A (DMFS 16.4), B (DMFS 55.9), C1 (DMFS 55.6), C2 (DMFS 57.0) and C3 (DMFS 48.1). Groups C1 and C2 had unrestored root surface lesions; Group A, B and C3 were free of unrestored root caries and differed in their coronal caries experience. Streptococcus mutans was isolated more frequently from the root lesions in Groups C1 and C2 than from intact root surfaces in Group A. Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis 1 and Streptococcus sanguis were isolated more frequently from Group A. The percentage contribution that S. mutans made to plaque from lesions in Groups C1 and C2 was higher than that from plaque in Group A and Actinomyces viscosus serovar 2 contributed more to plaque in Group C1 than in samples from Group A. The percentage counts of Lactobacillus in plaque from lesions in Groups C1 and C2 were higher than those from intact roots in Groups A, B, and C3. Subjects were also grouped on the presence of Lactobacillus and S. mutans in plaque samples. Samples with both organisms (n = 17) showed significantly higher isolation frequencies of specific strains of S. mitis 1 and also A. viscosus serovar 2 compared with samples of plaque containing S. mutans or Lactobacillus. Actinomyces naeslundii serovar 1 was not isolated from samples containing both S. mutans and Lactobacillus. The results confirm an association of S. mutans and Lactobacillus with root surface lesions and suggest a relationship between lesions and A. viscosus serovar 2. <6> UI - 91262860 AU - Ljungberg G AU - Birkhed D IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Dental caries in players belonging to a Swedish soccer team. SO - Swedish Dental Journal 1990;14(6):261-6 AB - Since dental caries is associated with frequent use of sugar-containing products and since there is a potential risk for such a consumption among sportsmen, we conducted a clinical study of a group (n = 30) of 17-30-year old elite soccer players, including DFS and various caries-related factors, such as plaque index, numbers of cariogenic microorganisms in saliva and sugar intake frequency. Each player was asked to identify one friend of the same age, sex and social background but not active in any sport (n = 28). The mean values for DFS, plaque index, mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were less favourable for the players, but none of the differences were statistically significant, except for the dietary score (p less than 0.05). Thus, soccer players on an elite level seem to have a somewhat higher risk to develop dental caries than nonplayers. However, their regular use of fluoride-containing toothpaste probably to some part compensates for this increased risk. <7> UI - 91207127 AU - Beighton D AU - Hellyer PH AU - Heath MR IN - Hunterian Dental Research Unit, London Hospital Medical College, England. TI - Associations between salivary levels of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, yeasts and black-pigmented Bacteroides spp. and dental variables in elderly dental patients. SO - Archives of Oral Biology 1990;35 Suppl:173S-175S AB - Multivariate step-wise regression analyses demonstrated that in a population of 146 elderly dental patients (mean age 69.8 yr) the salivary level of mutans streptococci was unrelated to the root DFS score, unlike the levels of lactobacilli and yeasts. Mutans streptococci were related to the wearing of partial dentures and the number of snacks eaten per day, while salivary lactobacillus levels were also related to the number of snacks eaten per day and to denture wearing, and negatively related to saliva buffering. Salivary yeast levels were also related to the wearing of partial dentures and the number of snacks eaten per day, and negatively related to salivary neuraminidase activity. The R2 values ranged from 0.21 to 0.28. Salivary level of black-pigmented Bacteroides spp. were related to maximum CPITN score, mean bleeding index and salivary trypsin-like activity (R2 was 0.08). <8> UI - 91204329 AU - Alaluusua S AU - Kleemola-Kujala E AU - Gronroos L AU - Evalahti M IN - Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. TI - Salivary caries-related tests as predictors of future caries increment in teenagers. A three-year longitudinal study. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1990 Apr;5(2):77-81 AB - The aim of the study was to evaluate the capability of caries-related salivary tests and a test based on past caries experience (baseline DFS) to select persons at high risk for caries. The subjects (n = 122) were 12-17 years old at the beginning of the study. Caries was registered and salivary samples were taken annually during the 3-study period. The 3-year caries increment was positively correlated to the baseline DFS (r = 0.46, p less than 0.001), salivary level of mutans streptococci (r = 0.30, p less than 0.001) and lactobacilli (r = 0.30, p less than 0.001), and combined level of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli (r = 0.39, p less than 0.001) and negatively correlated to the buffering capacity of saliva (r = -0.22, p less than 0.05). Tests based on either past caries experience or mutans streptococci or lactobacilli levels alone were not efficient in selecting persons at high risk for caries. Among the tests, DFS was the most sensitive and specific. A combination of either microbial test and DFS was more efficient to select persons at risk than various alternatives alone. The sensitivity was 84% and the specificity 62% for the combination of lactobacilli test and DFS and 71% and 79% respectively for the combination of mutans streptococci and DFS. In the former combination the positive prediction value was 43% and in the latter 56%. <9> UI - 91204319 AU - Kalfas S AU - Edwardsson S IN - School of Dentistry, University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Sorbitol-fermenting predominant cultivable flora of human dental plaque in relation to sorbitol adaptation and salivary secretion rate. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1990 Feb;5(1):33-8 AB - The sorbitol-fermenting predominant flora of human dental plaque was studied in 12 people with low and 11 with normal salivary secretion rates before and after a period of frequent mouth rinses with sorbitol solution. A total of 277 sorbitol-fermenting isolates are described by their morphological and physiological characteristics. The flora was almost exclusively composed of gram-positive bacteria belonging to the genera Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Actinomyces in people with low secretion rates and Streptococcus and Actinomyces in those with normal salivation. At the species level, Streptococcus mutans predominated in all. The frequent use of sorbitol resulted in an increase of the streptococcal species mainly and particularly of Streptococcus sanguis I in people with normal salivation. The counts of lactobacilli and Actinomyces remained unaffected. Almost all isolates appeared to belong to the resident plaque flora. Succession of new sorbitol-fermenting genera to the plaque community could not be observed as a result of the frequent exposure of the mouth to sorbitol. <10> UI - 91204315 AU - Aaltonen AS AU - Tenovuo J AU - Lehtonen OP AU - Saksala R IN - Health Center of Lohja District, Pusula, Finland. TI - Maternal caries incidence and salivary close-contacts with children affect antibody levels to Streptococcus mutans in children. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1990 Feb;5(1):12-8 AB - Serum and salivary immunoglobulins and antibodies reactive with Streptococcus mutans were determined in 67 5-8-year-old children. The children of mothers whose caries incidence rates exceeded the median value had significantly more serum IgG antibodies to S. mutans than those with a lower maternal caries activity (p less than 0.05). The children (n = 14) who had been exposed to frequent maternal salivary close-contacts in their first year had significantly higher (p less than 0.05) serum total specific IgG antibodies but significantly lower (p less than 0.01) high-avidity IgG antibodies to S. mutans than the other children (n = 53) with less frequent close-contacts. The maternal caries incidence rates were significantly positively associated with children's dfs/DFS-indices (r = 0.41; p less than 0.001). However, the high maternal caries incidence did not increase the risk of caries in those children whose mothers' saliva contained high amounts of lactobacilli during the first nursing year, when compared with matched children with a low maternal level of lactobacilli. This was possibly due to the fact that the former children had significantly (p less than 0.05) more anti-S. mutans IgG antibodies in their sera than the latter. <11> UI - 91190302 AU - Zambon JJ AU - Reynolds HS AU - Dunford RG AU - Bonta CY IN - State University of New York at Buffalo. TI - Effect of a triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice on the oral microflora. SO - American Journal of Dentistry 1990 Sep;3 Spec No:S27-34 AB - Eighty-one human subjects completed a double-blind study which examined the effects of a 0.3% triclosan/2% Gantrez copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice on the microflora of supragingival dental plaque. Subjects were divided into an experimental group which performed normal oral hygiene with the triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice and a control group which also performed normal oral hygiene with the same dentifrice minus the triclosan/copolymer. At baseline, 10 weeks, and 28 weeks, supragingival dental plaque was collected from buccal and lingual surfaces of the four first molar teeth and assayed for: 1) bacterial morphotypes by phase contrast microscopy, 2) Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Actinomyces species, Bacteroides forsythus, Bacteroides gingivalis, Bacteroides intermedius, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, and Wolinella recta by immunofluorescence microscopy, and 3) Lactobacillus, yeast, enterics, Staphylococcus, aerobes and anaerobes by bacterial culture. After 28 weeks' use of their respective dentifrices, changes in the supragingival plaque microflora of the subjects were similar between the triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice group and the control dentifrice group, except for statistically significant reductions in fusiforms, spirochetes and staphylococci and significant increases in S. sanguis in the triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice group, as compared to the control dentifrice group. The subject population was unusual in the presence of enteric species and anaerobes found in supragingival plaque sites. This study indicates that the use of a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan and 2% Gantrez copolymer over an extended period of time (28 weeks) does not result in shifts in the microflora of supragingival plaque favoring the growth of either opportunistic or pathogenic bacterial species. <12> UI - 91182633 AU - Schlagenhauf U AU - Rosendahl R IN - University of Tubingen School of Dentistry, W. Germany. TI - Clinical and microbiological caries-risk parameters at different stages of dental development. SO - Journal of Pedodontics 1990 Spring;14(3):141-3 AB - Caries incidence and activity in general are not linear functions, but show several intensity peaks at different stages of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate, whether the transition from the primary to the permanent dentition is accompanied by any significant changes in several clinical and microbiological parameters commonly used as predictors of caries activity. Sixty children and adolescents, aged 3 to 16, participated in the study and according to age were assigned to 4 different dentition groups (primary, early mixed, late mixed, permanent). The results indicate, that there is a significant decrease in salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp. counts in the late mixed dentition group compared to the primary and the early mixed dentition group. Furthermore, in the permanent dentition group the stimulated salivary flow rate was significantly higher than in all other groups. Differences regarding plaque score and salivary buffering capacity were not significant for all groups examined. It is concluded, that the transition from the primary to the permanent dentition in general is accompanied by significant, yet temporary decline in the numbers of caries-associated microorganisms, reflecting marked differences in caries incidence and activity, previously reported by other authors. <13> UI - 91156968 AU - Fure S AU - Zickert I IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, Gothenburg University, Sweden. TI - Root surface caries and associated factors. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1990 Oct;98(5):391-400 AB - The prevalence of root surfaces caries in 208 randomly selected 55, 65, and 75-yr-old Swedes was related to the frequency of coronal caries, the number of remaining teeth and to bacteriologic, salivary, and dietary variables. At least one decayed or filled root surface was found in 89% of the individuals and all of those had also experienced coronal caries. The frequency of root surface caries was positively correlated to the frequency of coronal decay and negatively correlated to the number of remaining teeth and exposed root surfaces. The study shows that the same factors which are associated with enamel caries seem to be of importance in determining the development of root surface caries. The variation in the frequency of root surface caries was best explained by the salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, the percentage of surfaces harboring plaque and the frequency of carbohydrate intake. Other contributory factors were the saliva secretion rate and the buffer capacity. <14> UI - 91164314 AU - Salako NO AU - Kleinberg I IN - College of Medicine, University of Lagos. TI - A comparative analysis of acidogenicity of pure cultures of Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Actinomyces associated with human dental plaque. SO - Odonto-Stomatologie Tropicale 1990 Dec;13(4):123, 125-8 <15> UI - 91114089 AU - Bentley CD AU - Broderius CA AU - Drake CW AU - Crawford JJ IN - Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. TI - Relationship between salivary levels of mutans streptococci and restoration longevity. SO - Caries Research 1990;24(4):298-300 <16> UI - 91079327 AU - Weerheijm KL AU - de Soet JJ AU - de Graaff J AU - van Amerongen WE IN - Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry, Amsterdam. TI - Occlusal hidden caries: a bacteriological profile. SO - ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children 1990 Nov-Dec;57(6):428-32 AB - Eleven teeth from nine patients with occlusal caries lesions beneath an apparently intact enamel surface were treated. Two dentine samples, one from the dentinoenamel junction (Sample A) and one just before all the caries appeared to be removed clinically (Sample B), were taken under aseptic conditions and examined for bacteria. In all cases, the A samples and in ten cases the B samples contained mutans streptococci, lactobacilli or both, while in ten cases the dentine after opening was soft with a light color. This suggests that we are dealing with active caries lesions, which should be treated as such. The salivary data of the patients group were compared with the salivary data of the control group. Although the buffer capacity of the groups were not significantly different (chi-square), further analysis revealed that a significant relationship could be found between the group and the buffer capacity (Kendall's Tau C). While the other salivary components (numbers of mutants streptococci per ml saliva and the secretion rate) showed no significant differences. Unfortunately these occlusal caries lesions are not detected with the present criteria used in epidemiological surveys. <17> UI - 91084802 AU - Mundorff SA AU - Eisenberg AD AU - Leverett DH AU - Espeland MA AU - Proskin HM IN - Eastman Dental Center/University of Rochester, Rochester Cariology Center, N.Y. TI - Correlations between numbers of microflora in plaque and saliva. SO - Caries Research 1990;24(5):312-7 AB - An epidemiologic investigation to reliably identify caries-susceptible subjects by microbiological and chemical assessment of plaque and saliva is currently in progress. As part of that study, the numerical relationships of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and total viable microflora in plaque and saliva among 12- to 15-year-old children in a fluoridated community were determined. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva and pooled dental plaque were collected. Each sample was suspended in reduced transport fluid, chilled on ice, and assayed. The bivariate normal distribution was found to be a suitable model for the distribution of the pairs [numbers of bacteria in plaque (log10), numbers of bacteria in saliva (log10)]. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between numbers of mutans streptococci in plaque and saliva, and between lactobacilli in plaque and saliva. <18> UI - 91084803 AU - Ozeki M AU - Zinda K AU - Matsumoto S AU - Ohkouchi K AU - Kobayashi Y AU - Moriyama T IN - Department of Microbiology, Aichi-Gakuin University School of Dentistry, Nagoya, Japan. TI - Bacteriological examination of fissure plaques from seriously mentally retarded adults. SO - Caries Research 1990;24(5):318-26 AB - The microfloras of fissure plaque samples removed from a total of 23 seriously mentally retarded adults, resident in two institutions, were examined and compared with the fissure microfloras found in 17 control subjects who were employees in both institutions. The samples were collected from both an intact fissure and a fissure with brown-stained defective enamel surface of the premolars of the lower jaw. Mutans streptococci, selected with MSB medium, were recovered from only one of the defective fissures of 13 patients who became retarded younger than 2 years of age, whereas 14 defective fissures of 17 controls harbored mutans streptococci. Four of 8 patients who became retarded older than 3 years of age harbored mutans streptococci. Lactobacilli were infrequently recovered from both patients and controls. The results are discussed in terms of the microbiological aspect of caries development in adults who became mentally retarded when young. <19> UI - 91064952 AU - Klock B AU - Svanberg M AU - Petersson LG IN - Department of Public Dental Health, Bohusian-County Council, Sweden. TI - Dental caries, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli, and saliva secretion rate in adults. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1990 Oct;18(5):249-52 AB - In 718 Swedish patients, equally divided into four age groups (19-25, 26-45, 46-60, greater than 60 yr), salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, saliva secretion rate, and DMFS were registered. No significant differences were found between the various age groups either in salivary factors or in caries (D). Number of missing (M) and filled (F) surfaces increased with age. Prevalence of root caries, which increased with age, was significantly correlated to number of exposed root surfaces independent of age. Of the total study group, 50% had greater than or equal to 10(6) mutans streptococci and 40% had greater than or equal to 10(5) lactobacilli per mL saliva. Three percent had a saliva secretion rate of less than or equal to 0.5 mL/min. Correlation analyses showed that both mutans streptococci and lactobacilli significantly correlated to the caries prevalence but the r-value never exceeded 0.34. <20> UI - 91075329 AU - Sullivan A IN - Department of Pedodontics, University of Lund, School of Dentistry, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Correlation between caries incidence and secretion rate/buffer capacity of stimulated whole saliva in 5-7-year-old children matched for lactobacillus count and gingival state. SO - Swedish Dental Journal 1990;14(3):131-5 AB - The correlation between caries incidence and secretion rate/buffer capacity of stimulated whole saliva was studied in 87 children over the period from 5 to 7 years of age. Coefficients of correlation were calculated in subgroups homogenized with regard to lactobacillus count and gingival state. The highest value for saliva secretion rate was found in the subgroup with favourable values of the factors used for matching (r = 0.07). For buffer capacity the highest value was found in the corresponding subgroup (r = -0.31). The caries differences between groups with less favourable and favourable values of the salivary variables were also determined after elimination of the modifying effects of lactobacillus count and gingival state. The percentage difference varied between 20 and 26. It was concluded that the saliva secretion rate and buffer capacity of saliva have a weak connection with caries incidence at this age. <21> UI - 91073262 AU - Zambon JJ AU - Reynolds HS AU - Genco RJ IN - Department of Periodontology, State University of New York, School of Dental Medicine, Buffalo 14214. TI - Studies of the subgingival microflora in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. SO - Journal of Periodontology 1990 Nov;61(11):699-704 AB - Two unique forms of periodontal disease, HIV-gingivitis and HIV-periodontitis, have been described in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). In order to determine the bacterial species associated with periodontitis in AIDS patients, the predominant cultivable microflora was examined in 21 subgingival plaque samples from 11 AIDS patients with periodontitis. The presence of putative periodontal pathogens including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides intermedius, Porphyromonas gingivalis (formerly B. gingivalis), and Wolinella recta was examined by immunofluorescence in 128 subgingival dental plaque samples from 50 AIDS patients including 32 patients with periodontitis. Of 666 bacterial strains isolated from the 21 subgingival plaque samples, Streptococcus sanguis II was the most frequently recovered species comprising 18.5% of the total number of isolates followed by Lactobacillus acidophilus (12.2%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (12%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (11.4%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (8.7%), Actinomyces naeslundii (7.5%), and Actinomyces viscosus (4.7%). Fusobacterium nucleatum was the most prevalent species and was found in 76% of the sites and 91% of the patients. Enteric species including Enterococcus avium and Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium clostridiiforme and Clostridium difficle as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae also were recovered. Immunofluorescence assays detected similar carriage rates of A. actinomycetemcomitans, B. intermedius, and P. gingivalis in both gingivitis patients and periodontitis patients, while four times more periodontitis patients demonstrated W. recta. Subgingival yeast was a frequent finding in these AIDS patients, present in 62% of the subjects and 55% of the sites. This study indicates that subgingival plaque in AIDS patients with periodontitis can harbor high proportions of the same periodontal pathogens as are associated with periodontitis in non-HIV infected subjects as well as high proportions of opportunistic pathogens. <22> UI - 91036312 AU - Macpherson LM AU - MacFarlane TW AU - Aitchison TC AU - Stephen KW IN - Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, University of Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, Scotland, United Kingdom. TI - The effect of sucrose application and implantation of mutans streptococci on the microbial composition of three-week experimental plaque--an in situ study. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1990 Nov;69(11):1706-11 AB - This study describes the predominant cultivable microflora of three-week-old plaque samples obtained from human enamel sites, on the basis of microbial identification of over 9000 fresh isolates. Lower removable appliances, on which were mounted enamel sections and slabs, were worn by five young adult subjects under three experimental protocols. These were (1) 'normal' plaque conditions, (2) extra-oral sucrose applications nine times daily, and (3) inoculation of each subject's own mutans streptococci onto the enamel test sites and sucrose applications, as described above. With the exception of slightly higher proportions of Gram-negative bacilli associated with slab plaque following sucrose application, no significant differences in percentage or absolute counts of organisms were found between normal and sucrose plaques. The inoculation of mutans streptococci, combined with extra-oral sucrose applications, was associated with significantly higher percentages and absolute mean counts of both mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, and lower proportions of S. sanguis and S. oralis. Although the isolation frequency of mutans streptococci increased in all subjects and the overall mean proportion rose following inoculation, considerable inter-subject variation was seen in mean percentage counts of these organisms isolated from the three-week plaque samples. <23> UI - 91036313 AU - Macpherson LM AU - MacFarlane TW AU - Stephen KW IN - Department of Oral Medicine and Pathology, University of Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, Scotland, United Kingdom. TI - An intra-oral appliance study of the plaque microflora associated with early enamel demineralization. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1990 Nov;69(11):1712-6 AB - An intra-oral appliance model was used to investigate the composition of the plaque microflora associated with early enamel demineralization. Enamel sections, with exposed windows, were mounted on lower removable appliances, and the devices were worn by volunteers for three-week periods under three experimental conditions. These were: (1) "normal" plaque conditions, (2) extra-oral sucrose applications nine times daily, and (3) inoculation of each volunteer's own mutans streptococci onto the test sites and sucrose applications as described for (2). After 21 days, the plaque overlying each window was removed, and the bacterial composition was determined. Changes in mineral content of the associated enamel were measured by microradiography and microdensitometry, and the total mineral loss (delta z) that had occurred at each site was calculated. The 144 sites studied were divided into four demineralization groups by delta z value, with an increase in mineral loss from group 1 to group 4. A progressive and significant increase in the isolation frequency of mutans streptococci occurred from delta z group 1 to group 4 sites. These organisms were isolated from the plaque of every location with enamel mineral loss of over 1000 delta z units, but were not detected in 27% of the group 3 sites. Lactobacilli comprised 2% to 3% of the total cultivable microflora in groups 1-3 sites, but were found in significantly higher proportions (18%) at those enamel sites experiencing the most extensive mineral loss (group 4). No significant relationship was found between demineralization and the levels of Actinomyces species or Veillonella.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) <24> UI - 91021920 AU - Kalfas S AU - Edwardsson S IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Effect of culture medium on acid production from sorbitol by oral bacteria. SO - Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 1990 Aug;48(4):217-22 AB - The fermentation of sorbitol or glucose and the acid production by strains belonging to the genera Actinomyces, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus isolated from the predominant sorbitol-fermenting human dental plaque flora were studied in cultures in complex or defined bacteriologic broths and in saliva-based broth. The growth yields of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus in the saliva-based media and of Actinomyces in the defined broth were poor. Addition of fermentable carbohydrate to the saliva-based broth favored the growth of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus but not that of Actinomyces. The results showed obvious differences in the capacity of oral bacteria to ferment sorbitol between cultures in saliva-based and bacteriologic broths. Lactobacillus failed to utilize sorbitol when saliva was the only source of nutrients. Lower proportions of lactic and formic acids were formed from sorbitol by Actinomyces and Lactobacillus in the saliva-based than in the bacteriologic media. The findings illustrate some mechanisms possibly involved in the interactions between sorbitol and dental plaque flora. <25> UI - 90361419 AU - Ando N AU - Hoshino E IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Niigata University, Japan. TI - Predominant obligate anaerobes invading the deep layers of root canal dentin. SO - International Endodontic Journal 1990 Jan;23(1):20-7 AB - This study was carried out to investigate the presence and types of bacteria invading the deep layers (0.5-2.0 mm from the surface of the root canal wall) of infected dentine of human root canals by sampling with an anaerobic glove box system the split surfaces of eight freshly extracted teeth. More bacteria were recovered after incubation in an anaerobic glove box than after aerobic incubation in air with 30 per cent CO2. Out of 256 predominant bacterial isolated, 205 isolates (80 per cent) were obligate anaerobes. These findings suggest that the environment of deep layers of endodontic dentinal lesions is anaerobic and favours the growth of anaerobes. Among the obligate anaerobic isolates, strains belonging to Lactobacillus (30 per cent) and Streptococcus (13 per cent) were predominant, followed by Propionibacterium (9 per cent). No strains of obligate anaerobic Gram-negative rods were isolated. The microflora of deep layers of infected root dentine is somewhat similar to that of the deep layers of carious lesions in coronal dentine. <26> UI - 90378245 AU - Sewon L AU - Soderling E AU - Karjalainen S IN - Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland. TI - Comparative study on mineralization-related intraoral parameters in periodontitis-affected and periodontitis-free adults. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1990 Aug;98(4):305-12 AB - The parameters related to an intraoral mineralization tendency in periodontitis-affected (P+) and periodontitis-free (P-) study subjects (16 adults, 46-74 yr, matched for sex and age) were compared. For this purpose the calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) concentration of both plaque and saliva, resting pH and the acidogenic response of interdental plaque, plaque wet weight, salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and sucrase activity, interdental plaque, plaque S. mutans levels as well as salivary lactobacilli and yeast levels were estimated. Plaque Ca (micrograms/mg protein, P less than 0.025) and P (micrograms/mg protein, P less than 0.05), saliva Ca (micrograms/ml, P less than 0.005) and the saliva Ca:P ratio (P less than 0.005) were higher in the P+ than in the P- group. The resting pH values were higher (P less than 0.025) and the acidogenic response of the interdental plaque was lower (P less than 0.025) in the P+ group than in the P- group. The P+ group had lower S. mutans levels in saliva and interdental plaque. No differences were found in the wet weight of plaque and in the flow rate, buffering capacity or sucrase activity of saliva between the groups. The findings of the mineralization-related parameters in the two "extreme" groups of periodontal status suggest a higher intraoral mineralization tendency in periodontitis-affected persons than in periodontitis-free subjects. Ca and P accumulation of supragingival plaque seem to be connected with low acidogenicity of plaque and high salivary Ca concentration. <27> UI - 90347112 AU - Young DA AU - Bowen WH IN - Department of Dental Research, University of Rochester, New York 14642. TI - The influence of sucralose on bacterial metabolism. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1990 Aug;69(8):1480-4 AB - Sucralose (1',4',6' trideoxy-trichloro-galactosucrose) is a nontoxic, intensely sweet sucrose derivative that has been shown to be non-cariogenic in experimental animals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether certain oral bacteria could utilize sucralose. Sucralose, as a sole carbon source, was unable to support growth of ten strains of oral bacteria and dental plaque. When sucrolose was incorporated into a liquid medium containing glucose or sucrose, all organisms tested displayed similar pH falls, compared with controls. The incorporation of 126 mmol/L sucralose into glucose agar medium caused total inhibition of growth of Streptococcus sobrinus 6715-17, Streptococcus sanguis 10904, Streptococcus sanguis Challis, Streptococcus salivarius, and Actinomyces viscosus WVU627. Sucralose had no effect on IPS production. Sucralose was not bound to, nor taken up by, cells. Sucralose inhibited the formation of glucan and fructan polymers in proportion to the sucralose-to-enzyme ratio, but independent of the sucrose concentration in the assay mixture. No radioactive polymer was formed from 14C-U-sucralose added to mixtures containing glucosyltransferase (GTF) or fructosyl-transferase (FTF). Inhibition of GTF and FTF by sucralose was removed following dialysis of the enzyme/sucralose mixture. These results show that sucralose was not utilized by the oral bacteria tested and that the inhibitory effect of sucralose on GTF and FTF was non-competitive and reversible. The results further support the concept that sucralose is non-cariogenic. <28> UI - 90347109 AU - Van Houte J AU - Jordan HV AU - Laraway R AU - Kent R AU - Soparkar PM AU - DePaola PF IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, Forsyth Dental Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02115. TI - Association of the microbial flora of dental plaque and saliva with human root-surface caries. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1990 Aug;69(8):1463-8 AB - Dental plaque was obtained from one or two sound root surfaces of subjects with different degrees of root-surface caries experience. From subjects with root-surface caries, plaque samples were also obtained from either one incipient or one more advanced lesion. Proportions of the total flora were determined for total streptococci and different streptococcal species, total and different Actinomyces species, and lactobacilli. A sample of saliva was obtained from about one-third of the subjects for determination of the concentrations of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. The main observations were: (1) Subjects without root-surface caries or restorations (group I), as compared with subjects with root-surface caries with or without restorations (group II), were characterized by having a lower prevalence and proportion of mutans streptococci and a higher prevalence and proportion of A. naeslundii in plaque on sound root surfaces; (2) subjects in group I also tended to have a lower salivary concentration of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli than subjects in group II; (3) dental plaque on sound surfaces in group II subjects contained a lower proportion of mutans streptococci than plaque associated with incipient or advanced lesions; and (4) the prevalence and proportion of lactobacilli in plaque associated with sound as well as carious root surfaces were very low. The data reinforce findings from other studies and indicate that, as for coronal caries, the plaque and saliva populations of mutans streptococci specifically are correlated positively with the presence of root-surface caries. <29> UI - 90313480 AU - Karjalainen S AU - Hannula P IN - Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Finland. TI - Sucrase activity in relation to other salivary factors and DMFS values of dental students. SO - Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 1990 Jun;48(3):183-7 AB - Samples of stimulated whole saliva were collected from 176 dental students, and their teeth were examined both clinically and radiographically. Salivary flow; buffering capacity; numbers of lactobacilli, yeasts, and Streptococcus mutans; and DMFS and DS values were correlated to sucrase activity. The high flow-rate group had a lower (p = 0.0201*) sucrase activity than the low flow-rate group. The proportion of high (greater than or equal to 10 mumol/min x mg x 10(-3] sucrase activities among the highest density category of lactobacilli was 67%, whereas the corresponding proportion in the whole material was only 28%. Men had significantly (p = 0.0169*) higher sucrase activities than women. The other variables measured did not seem to have any significant effect on the sucrase activity values. In addition to sucrose consumption, other factors like the rate of salivary flow and the density of lactobacilli seem to influence the level of salivary sucrase activity. <30> UI - 90304837 AU - Birkhed D AU - Svensater G AU - Edwardsson S IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Cariological studies of individuals with long-term sorbitol consumption. SO - Caries Research 1990;24(3):220-3 <31> UI - 90275960 AU - Masalin K AU - Murtomaa H AU - Meurman JH IN - Finnish Dental Association, University of Helsinki, Finland. TI - Oral health of workers in the modern Finnish confectionery industry. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1990 Jun;18(3):126-30 AB - The association between type of work and dental findings and the relevance of sugar dust as an occupational hazard to dental health was studied in workers producing sweets, biscuits, and bakery products, and in controls in a work environment not concerned with sugar. 298 employees, 42 +/- 11 yr of age, were investigated clinically and by means of chemical and microbiological tests of their saliva. Mean total time of work on the production line in question was 10 +/- 8.5 yr. Periodontal treatment needs increased similarly with increasing age in all subgroups. Subjects concerned with biscuit production had significantly higher DMFS values than subjects in the other groups. They also had significantly higher numbers of untreated cavities: 79.6% compared with 54.7% in those making sweets, 48.3% in bakery workers, and 62.6% in the controls not exposed to sugar. High levels of lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans were found equally in all subgroups. Because work hygiene measurements have previously shown that sugar and flour dust concentrations were below accepted limits in the confectionery factory studied, the results do not seem to support the hypothesis that airborne sugar is an occupational dental health hazard. Some other factors need to be accounted for to explain the findings. <32> UI - 90273126 AU - Fure S AU - Zickert I IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. TI - Salivary conditions and cariogenic microorganisms in 55, 65, and 75-year-old Swedish individuals. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1990 Jun;98(3):197-210 AB - Secretion rate, buffer capacity, and cariogenic microorganisms of resting and stimulated whole saliva were examined in 208 55-, 65-, and 75-yr-old Swedes. The secretion rate for both resting and stimulated saliva decreased with age. When the use of drugs was taken into account the difference in terms of age group was significant for resting saliva alone (P less than 0.01). In 22% the resting saliva was less than 0.1 ml/min, and in 5% the stimulated saliva was less than 0.7 ml/min. Persons with subjective dryness in the mouth had a lower salivary flow. Men had higher secretion rates than women irrespective of medication (P less than 0.05). The buffer capacity was strongly correlated to the secretion rate of both resting and stimulated saliva (r = 0.39 and r = 0.44, respectively). The number of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli increased with age, although significant in terms of age group for lactobacilli alone (P less than 0.05). The number of these microorganisms was lower in resting saliva than in stimulated saliva (P less than 0.0001). Individuals harboring both Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus had higher values of mutans streptococci in resting and stimulated saliva than those harboring only S. mutans (P less than 0.001). Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii comprised greater than or equal to 1% of the total CFU in 89% of the plaque samples. The corresponding figures for lactobacilli and mutans streptococci were 6% and 38%, respectively. <33> UI - 90275965 AU - MacEntee MI AU - Wyatt CC AU - McBride BC IN - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. TI - Longitudinal study of caries and cariogenic bacteria in an elderly disabled population. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1990 Jun;18(3):149-52 AB - A 2-yr longitudinal study was conducted among elderly disabled residents of a longterm care facility. Each of the 50 subjects examined at the beginning of the study had a mean of 14 teeth, with a mean of 6 carious and 6 restored teeth, per person. Most of the subjects had very poor oral hygiene, and 26 of them had dental plaque that produced cultures of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in excess of 10(5) CFU/ml. At the end of the first year, 40 subjects were examined again and, apart from a decrease in the mean number of carious root lesions per person, there was very little change in their dental or microbial status. Although only 18 subjects were available at the end of the second year, they presented with fewer carious lesions after 2 yr. The reduction in caries appeared to result from the remineralization of tooth structure, but new lesions did appear in 33% of the 1-yr group, and in 78% of the 2-yr group. This dynamic environment around the teeth produced a mean net incidence of one lesion in the first year, and three lesions over 2 yr. There was a significant (P less than 0.05) association between large (greater than 10(5) CFU/ml) numbers of mutans streptococci and the development of new lesions, but there was no association between the dental status of the subjects and the dental treatment they received. Overall, the results indicate that caries is not rampant in this population. <34> UI - 90275959 AU - Russell JI AU - MacFarlane TW AU - Aitchison TC AU - Stephen KW AU - Burchell CK IN - University of Glasgow, Scotland. TI - Caries prevalence and microbiological and salivary caries activity tests in Scottish adolescents. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1990 Jun;18(3):120-5 AB - Salivary and microbiological caries activity tests were investigated on three occasions in a group of 372 Scottish adolescents. Counts of lactobacilli, mutans streptococci, and candida were consistently and significantly associated with caries prevalence, as either DS or DMFS score, and buffering capacity was consistently inversely related to DMFS score. However, veillonella counts and salivary flow rate were not correlated with caries prevalence. Significant improvements in the associations were obtained when the results of more than one test were included using stepwise regression analysis. On an individual basis, at most, stepwise discriminant analysis identified the DMFS group correctly in 49% of all subjects, and the DS group in 47%. <35> UI - 90243959 AU - Bowden GH IN - Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. TI - Microbiology of root surface caries in humans. [Review] [39 refs] SO - Journal of Dental Research 1990 May;69(5):1205-10 AB - Studies on the microbiology of root surface caries between 1970 and 1975 placed emphasis on Gram-positive pleomorphic filamentous rods, particularly Actinomyces viscosus and Actinomyces naeslundii. Both of these species had been shown to produce root surface caries in experimental animals. Since this time, studies have placed more emphasis on Streptococcus mutans, and S. mutans and Lactobacillus are significant in prediction of root surface caries risk in patients. Subsequent studies confirmed an association between S. mutans and 'soft' or 'initial' root lesions. Thus, it is important when determining the microflora of root surface lesions to make careful characterization of the state of the lesion. A second important aspect of the analysis of bacterial communities associated with root surface caries is better definition of the organisms. Most studies have concentrated on 'target organisms' S. mutans, S. sanguis, A. viscosus, A. naeslundii, Lactobacillus, and Veillonella. However, it has been known for 17 years that the Actinomyces associated with the lesions may be variants of A. viscosus and A. naeslundii. Such strains (intermediate strains) have been described in taxonomic studies of Actinomyces, yet little is known of the differences in physiology of these strains or their relationship to root surface caries. A similar situation exists with oral Streptococcus where new taxonomic divisions are being proposed. Recognition of the potential diversity within the 'target' genera of root surface caries could yield valuable data. Recent studies suggest that this is so, since samples from root surface lesions which contain S. mutans and Lactobacillus show a high isolation of S. mitis 1 and no isolations of A. naeslundii. Careful definition of the lesions of root surface caries and the flora will allow analysis to relate a specific bacterial community to the state fo the lesion and assist in monitoring the control of the lesion through fluoride and antibacterials. [References: 39] <36> UI - 90256235 AU - Nyvad B AU - Kilian M IN - Department of Oral Anatomy, Royal Dental College, Arhus, Denmark. TI - Microflora associated with experimental root surface caries in humans. SO - Infection & Immunity 1990 Jun;58(6):1628-33 AB - This study describes the microflora from actively progressing root surface caries lesions, in which mineral loss had been determined by quantitative microradiography. The caries lesions were produced experimentally in root surface specimens from human molars inserted in lower partial dentures carried for 3 months by six elderly individuals. A total of 780 bacterial isolates were identified from 13 plaque samples, collected with a punch technique, and six dentin samples. The composition of the microflora showed distinct individual differences. The microflora from plaque samples associated with the highest mineral loss was dominated by either Actinomyces viscosus or a combination of mutans streptococci (serotypes c, d, and f) and Lactobacillus species (L. casei and L. brevis). Plaque from root surfaces with less pronounced mineral loss harbored a more complex microflora comprising gram-positive rods, mutans streptococci, Streptococcus mitis biovar 1, Veillonella spp., gram-negative rods, and low numbers of lactobacilli. In the latter samples, individual variations in the proportions of mutans streptococci (serotypes c, d, and g), Actinomyces species (A. viscosus and A. naeslundii), and Veillonella parvula biotypes were observed. These findings suggest that certain species or combinations of species are more cariogenic than others and that dominance of single acidogenic species in particular is conducive to high caries activity. <37> UI - 90254729 AU - Kalfas S AU - Maki Y AU - Birkhed D AU - Edwardsson S IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Effect of pH on acid production from sorbitol in washed cell suspensions of oral bacteria. SO - Caries Research 1990;24(2):107-12 AB - The acid production from sorbitol and glucose was studied under anaerobic conditions in resting cell suspensions of bacteria from the predominant sorbitol-fermenting human dental plaque flora, belonging to the genera Streptococcus, Lactobacillus and Actinomyces. The acid production activity of the bacterial cells was followed by titration with alkali, at environmental pH 7.0, 6.0 and 5.0 after addition of carbohydrate solution. The metabolic end products formed in the suspensions were analyzed thereafter by isotachophoretic and enzymatic methods. The results showed that sorbitol was fermented at a slower rate than glucose. Lowering the environmental pH decreased the acid production activity from the two carbohydrates. Compared with glucose, the catabolism of sorbitol was affected to greater extent by the pH conditions. The total amount of acids formed from sorbitol was considerably less than from glucose. Lactic acid, which was the major end product in glucose-challenged suspensions, was produced only in low concentrations from sorbitol by all strains tested. The ratio strong (formic + lactic)/weak acids was moreover lower for sorbitol than for glucose. The present results further illustrate some of the mechanisms behind the low cariogenic potential of this sugar substitute. <38> UI - 90222928 AU - Ericson G AU - Nilson H AU - Bergman B IN - Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Odontology, University of Umea, Sweden. TI - Cross-sectional study of patients fitted with fixed partial dentures with special reference to the caries situation. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1990 Feb;98(1):8-16 AB - The caries situation among 30 patients with fixed partial dentures was examined 3 yr after cementation of the constructions. The fit of the crowns on the abutment teeth, the size of the interproximal areas and the relation between the crown margin and the gingival margin were registered. Risk factors for caries development, such as salivary factors, microbiologic factors, oral hygiene and diet were evaluated for each patient. During the 3-yr period 54 caries lesions occurred in 25 patients. Eleven lesions were found on abutment teeth. Two were located on the root surfaces unconnected with the crown margin (greater than 2mm from the gingival margin), three were recurrent lesions, where the crown margin was located above the gingival margin but closer than 2 mm and six were recurrent lesions where the crown margin was located under the gingival margin. No single caries risk factor seemed to be so closely correlated to the number of caries lesions developed that it could be used alone to select of patients at risk. When the sum of the assumed negative factors was used, more caries was found among the patients with three or more factors with negative values in the group as a whole. However, predicting the development of caries in an individual case with a high degree of probability seems to be complicated. Generally speaking there was no indication that caries disease development was caused by the presence of the fixed partial denture per se. <39> UI - 90171295 AU - Bradshaw DJ AU - McKee AS AU - Marsh PD IN - Pathology Division, PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down, Salisbury, England. TI - Prevention of population shifts in oral microbial communities in vitro by low fluoride concentrations. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1990 Feb;69(2):436-41 AB - A continuous culture system has been used to study the effects of low (sub-MIC) levels of sodium fluoride on the stability and metabolism of a defined oral microbial community. The microflora was also subjected to glucose pulses at pH 7.0, with and without subsequent pH control. At pH 7.0, a continuous supply of 1 mmol/L NaF reduced slightly the viable counts of the oral microflora, although their proportions were relatively unaffected. At pH 7.0, during glucose pulsing, 1 mmol/L NaF prevented the rise in proportions of A. viscosus and reduced the levels of B. intermedius. Glucose pulsing without pH control and in the absence of fluoride markedly inhibited the growth of many species, and L. casei, V. dispar, and S. mutans predominated in the culture. Fluoride (1 mmol/L), either pulsed with the glucose or provided continuously, reduced both the rate of change and the degree of fall in pH, and in doing so prevented the enrichment of S. mutans in the culture. Fluoride also reduced the pH-mediated inhibition of other members of the oral community, although S. sanguis was inhibited even further. Thus, even sub-MIC levels of fluoride may have a beneficial anti-bacterial effect on dental plaque by interfering with acid production. This would reduce the pH-mediated disruption to the balance of the microflora and suppress the selection of S. mutans. <40> UI - 90171296 AU - Kalfas S AU - Svensater G AU - Birkhed D AU - Edwardsson S IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, University of Lund, School of Dentistry, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Sorbitol adaptation of dental plaque in people with low and normal salivary-secretion rates. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1990 Feb;69(2):442-6 AB - Caries-related bacteriological and biochemical factors were studied in 12 persons with low and 11 persons with normal salivary-secretion rates before and after a four-week period of frequent mouthrinses with 10% sorbitol solution (adaptation period). After the adaptation period, an increase in total numbers of sorbitol-fermenting bacteria and mutans streptococci was found in plaque samples from both groups. The pH drop in dental plaque in situ after a mouthrinse with sorbitol was more pronounced after the adaptation period, especially in the group with the low salivary-secretion rate. Increased acid production in plaque from sorbitol was also observed in the two groups in vitro. The composition of the fermentation end-products was affected by the sorbitol exposure. It is suggested that in subjects with diminished natural protection against caries development, such as patients with low salivary-secretion rate, a cariogenic potential of sorbitol should be considered when this polyol is included in products that might be used frequently. <41> UI - 90090561 AU - Bush MS AU - Challacombe SJ AU - Newman HN IN - Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, University College and Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, UK. TI - A method for the identification of Streptococcus mutans in gingival margin plaque by immunofluorescence. SO - Caries Research 1990;24(1):23-9 AB - A method was developed to identify Streptococcus mutans in natural dental plaque by indirect immunofluorescence staining, using a high-titred polyclonal antiserum raised against a serotype c strain of S. mutans followed by an FITC conjugate. Specificity was determined by staining 45 representative strains of plaque organisms, which demonstrated minimal cross-reactions. In vitro incubation of S. mutans NCTC 10449 films with a human serum containing antibodies to S. mutans and the presence of extracellular polysaccharide did not inhibit staining. The staining method enabled 98% of the streptococci to be detected in mixtures of S. mutans NCTC 10449 and Lactobacillus casei NCTC 10302. S. mutans was detected at a ratio of 1:100,000 in mixtures of pure cultures. In plaque samples, S. mutans could be distinguished from other organisms, including an unidentified cross-reacting bacillus found in some gingival plaque samples. The results suggest that immunofluorescence is a fast, practical method for identifying specific bacteria in plaque and, therefore, could be of use in microbiological studies of caries. <42> UI - 90090568 AU - Igarashi K AU - Lee IK AU - Schachtele CF IN - Department of Oral Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. TI - Effect of dental plaque age and bacterial composition on the pH of artificial fissures in human volunteers. SO - Caries Research 1990;24(1):52-8 AB - Changes in sucrose-induced plaque pH profiles and the microbial composition of occlusal tooth surface fissures were analyzed using wire telemetry and bacterial culturing techniques. Four human volunteers wore appliances containing artificial fissures constructed with ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) electrodes for 1, 2 and 4 days; 1 subject kept the electrode for 3 weeks. After monitoring the plaque pH response at the base of the fissure to a 10% (w/v) sucrose rinse the plaque was removed and analyzed for total viable bacteria, total and specific streptococci, lactobacilli and Actinomyces spp. One-day-old plaque showed a rapid drop in plaque pH to a minimum of 4.8 +/- 0.2, with 2-day-old plaque showing the most acidogenic pH profile (minimum pH 4.6 +/- 0.2). The 4-day-old plaque response was less acidogenic (minimum pH 5.0 +/- 0.3) than the results from days 1 and 2. Responses from 13- and 21-day-old fissure plaques showed greatly decreased acidogenic responses (day 21 minimum pH 5.7). Viable bacteria recovered from the fissure increased from approximately 4 x 10(6) colony-forming units on day 1 to 1.2 x 10(7) on days 2 and 4 and 1.7 x 10(7) on day 21. Streptococci (greater than 50%) and Actinomyces (greater than 10%) dominated in the fissure plaques and their levels were related to minimum pH. Since fissure plaque of all ages tested contained high concentrations of acidogenic bacteria, the decreased acidogenic response at the base of fissures with increasing plaque age suggests that maturing fissure plaques provide an increasingly greater diffusion barrier to fermentable carbohydrates. <43> UI - 91206972 AU - Theilade E TI - Advances in oral microbiology. [Review] [25 refs] SO - Annals of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons 1989 Oct;10:62-71 AB - More than 200 species of micro-organisms have been identified in the resident oral microflora colonizing teeth and oral mucosa. Their numbers and proportions are regulated by several ecological mechanisms such as antimicrobial factors in saliva and gingival fluid, intermicrobial synergism and antagonism, host diet, etc. Due to their pathogenic potential, oral micro-organisms cause dental caries, periodontal disease, mixed anaerobic infections of oral tissues, and sometimes infections in other organs. The role of specific bacteria or virulence factors in plaque-induced diseases is difficult to assess because of the microbial complexity and variability of dental plaque. Correlations have been established between Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli and dental caries, and also between spirochaetes, certain Gram-negative rods and periodontal inflammation. The predictive value of microbiological tests as indicators of active caries or periodontal destruction is, however, too low to justify clinical use. Preventive methods such as plaque control and sugar restriction help establish a microflora compatible with oral health. [References: 25] <44> UI - 90326455 AU - Bretz WA AU - Krahn DD AU - Drewnowski A AU - Loesche WJ TI - Salivary levels of putative cariogenic organisms in patients with eating disorders. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1989 Dec;4(4):230-2 AB - The present study examined the hypothesis that women with eating disorders associated with a history of chronic vomiting can be characterized by a salivary flora with high levels of aciduric organisms, such as, mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeast. Three groups of female subjects were studied: vomiting bulimics (G1; n = 14), and comparison groups selected for high Streptococcus mutans (G2; n = 13), and low S. mutans levels (G3; n = 12). The prevalence and levels of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeast tended to be higher in bulimics than in non-bulimics. The bulimics had significantly higher levels and higher prevalence of Streptococcus sobrinus than the non-bulimics. A high S. sobrinus colonization may be a marker for a history of vomiting in bulimia. <45> UI - 90310563 AU - Twetman S AU - Aronsson S AU - Bjorkman S TI - Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva from children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1989 Sep;4(3):165-8 AB - The quantitative distribution of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva of insulin-dependent diabetic children was compared with a group of healthy children and related to the metabolic control of the disease. The study group, consisting of 94 boys and girls (age 4-19) with type 1 diabetes was matched by sex and age with a non-diabetic control group. Stimulated whole saliva was collected and flow rate, buffer capacity and the levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were analysed in all children. In the diabetic group, total salivary proteins and glucose content of saliva were determined. Data on caries experience were recorded from the dental cards of all children. There were no difference in the distribution or number of mutans streptococci between the groups, but significantly (p less than 0.05) lower levels of lactobacilli were found among the diabetic children. The number of lactobacilli was positively correlated (p less than 0.05) to glucose concentration in saliva. There was no difference in the prevalence of caries between the groups. The present findings suggest that the dietary treatment of young insulin dependent diabetics gives rise to a reduced number of lactobacilli in saliva but does not affect the mutans streptococci. <46> UI - 90217192 AU - Marsh PD AU - Featherstone A AU - McKee AS AU - Hallsworth AS AU - Robinson C AU - Weatherell JA AU - Newman HN AU - Pitter AF IN - Pathology Division, PHLS-CAMR, Salisbury, United Kingdom. TI - A microbiological study of early caries of approximal surfaces in schoolchildren. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1989 Jul;68(7):1151-4 AB - A cross-sectional epidemiological study has been undertaken to relate the bacterial composition of approximal dental plaque with the earliest stages of caries development in schoolchildren. Small samples of plaque were removed from multiple sites around the contact areas of 42 premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons from 29 schoolchildren (mean age = 13.5 yr). Caries diagnosis was based on polarized light microscopy and contact microradiography of thin sections cut through the sample sites. Fifty-seven percent of sites (37/60) showed histological evidence of demineralization. Both the isolation frequency and the mean percentage viable count of mutans streptococci and Actinomyces viscosus were higher at sites with early caries, although mutans streptococci could not be detected at 37% of sites with early caries. At these latter sites, the proportions of Veillonella were markedly reduced. Lactobacilli were rarely isolated and were never recovered from caries-free surfaces. Analysis of the data shows that the relationship between plaque bacteria and enamel is neither merely passive nor indifferent, and that particular stages of lesion formation may be associated with different combinations of bacteria. <47> UI - 90217209 AU - Beighton D AU - Manji F AU - Baelum V AU - Fejerskov O AU - Johnson NW AU - Wilton JM IN - Dental Research Unit, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Downe, Kent, United Kingdom. TI - Associations between salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, lactobacilli, and caries experience in Kenyan adolescents. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1989 Aug;68(8):1242-6 AB - Salivary levels of mutans streptococci (S. mutans and S. sobrinus) and lactobacilli were determined in a random sample of rural Kenyans between 15 and 19 years of age (n = 149). It is possible for the natural history of dental caries in this population to be studied since it is characterized by a limited access to conventional dental treatment. Using a short set of biochemical tests, we identified from seven to ten presumptive mutans streptococcus colonies--cultured from the saliva of each individual--to differentiate between S. mutans and S. sobrinus. No colonies resembling S. rattus (S. mutans serotype b) were isolated. Lactobacilli were identified as Gram-positive, catalase-negative rods. The mean D1-4MFS and D3-4MFS were 7.03 +/- 6.43 and 1.46 +/- 3.44, respectively. The mean mutans streptococcus and lactobacillus levels were 8.7 x 10(4) and 6.7 x 10(4), respectively. The salivary mutans streptococcus and lactobacillus levels were significantly correlated (p less than 0.01). Of the subjects, 64% harbored only S. mutans, 4% only S. sobrinus, 30% both species, and 2% neither. Lactobacilli were ubiquitous. The caries experience of the group was significantly (p less than 0.001) correlated with both the total salivary level of mutans streptococci and the salivary S. mutans levels, but not with the salivary S. sobrinus level. <48> UI - 90107251 AU - Abrams RA AU - Ayers CS AU - Weinstein LB TI - Salivary testing to reduce sugar consumption in school children. SO - Clinical Preventive Dentistry 1989 Jul-Aug;11(4):12-7 AB - A total of 423 elementary and middle school children participated in a project to see if it would be possible to reduce their sugar consumption. Children tested their salivary lactobacillus colony count and buffering capacity in their health/science class, and they used this information to measure their caries risk. Because the lactobacillus colony count is a good indicator of a person's recent sugar consumption, any change in sugar consumption will produce a change in the lactobacillus colony count. Children's saliva was tested four times, and an intensive dietary counseling program was provided in the classroom. Results showed that lactobacillus counts went down, and the children reduced their sugar consumption. <49> UI - 90094823 AU - Boyar RM AU - Thylstrup A AU - Holmen L AU - Bowden GH IN - Department of Stomatology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. TI - The microflora associated with the development of initial enamel decalcification below orthodontic bands in vivo in children living in a fluoridated-water area. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1989 Dec;68(12):1734-8 AB - Thirty-four caries-free teeth destined for orthodontic extraction were banded to provide a protected area for the accumulation of plaque. The teeth were extracted at one, two, four, eight, and 14 days after being banded, and samples of the flora below the band were analyzed for the presence of Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus 'mitior', 'mutans streptococci', Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Actinomyces odontolyticus, Lactobacillus species, and Veillonella. After plaque sampling, the teeth were sent to the Royal Dental College (Copenhagen) for histological analysis. The results showed that S. mutans could colonize the area below the band after one day, but that colonization was only 100% at 14 days. Lactobacillus was only isolated from 2/8 samples at four days and from 4/8 samples at 14 days. S. sanguis and 'S. mitior' were regularly isolated at all banding times, and Veillonella was isolated from all samples. A. viscosus was the most commonly isolated Actinomyces. The numbers of Streptococcus and Veillonella were significantly higher at day 1 than at day 14 (p less than 0.05). S. mutans and A. viscosus were isolated more frequently at day 14 than at day 1 (p less than 0.01). Histological examination revealed that dissolution of the enamel below a band could occur after two days, but that even after 14 days dissolution could be questionable. Dissolution was detected in areas where S. mutans was not isolated (8/34), but S. mutans was also present in samples showing dissolution (12/34). There was no relationship between dissolution and the numbers of S. mutans; however, the isolation frequency of S. mutans was associated with dissolution (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) <50> UI - 90115592 AU - Krasse B IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Specific microorganisms and dental caries in children. [Review] [18 refs] SO - Pediatrician 1989;16(3-4):156-60 AB - During the last decades it has been convincingly demonstrated that mutants streptococci and lactobacilli are of etiologic importance in dental caries. The knowledge has been applied in several clinical studies and the results show that microbiological examinations can be valuable adjuncts in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dental caries. Although dental caries has declined considerably, some children still develop high caries activity. It is important that such children are identified and given preventive treatment before they develop rampant decay. In this context pediatricians play an important role and the new microbiological knowledge can be a valuable tool. [References: 18] <51> UI - 90120570 AU - Chan EC AU - al-Joburi W AU - Cheng SL AU - Delorme F IN - Faculty of Dentistry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. TI - In vitro susceptibilities of oral bacterial isolates to spiramycin. SO - Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy 1989 Nov;33(11):2016-8 AB - Four hundred strains of oral bacteria were tested for their susceptibility to spiramycin. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and most species of Lactobacillus were resistant to the antibiotic. All strains of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans and most strains of bacterial species implicated in adult chronic periodontitis (Bacteroides gingivalis, B. intermedius, and Treponema denticola) were susceptible to spiramycin. <52> UI - 90075671 AU - Holbrook WP AU - Kristinsson MJ AU - Gunnarsdottir S AU - Briem B IN - Faculty of Odontology, University of Iceland, Reykjavik. TI - Caries prevalence, Streptococcus mutans and sugar intake among 4-year-old urban children in Iceland. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1989 Dec;17(6):292-5 AB - Concern at the high prevalence of dental caries in Iceland prompted this survey of 158 preschool children in Reykjavik. On initial examination in 1987 45.8% of the children were caries-free and the prevalence of caries was a mean dmft 2.4 and a mean dmfs 3.3. A dietary questionnaire aimed at discovering the frequency of sugar consumption per week revealed a threshold value of 30 instances of sugar intake per week above which caries prevalence increased markedly. Some of this sugar is consumed in paediatric medicines, particularly antibiotics and anti-asthmatics, which are widely used in Iceland. Caries prevalence (dmft) for children taking such medicines regularly was 3.0 compared with 2.1 for remaining children (P less than 0.05). Those children who took fluoride tablets regularly had less caries (mean dmft 1.1) than those who used fluoride tablets irregularly or not at all (mean dmft 2.8; P less than 0.001). Samples of saliva from the dorsum of the tongue were taken for determination of numbers of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. High bacterial counts were strongly associated with caries. Only 5% of children with more than 5 x 10(5 S. mutans cfu per ml were caries free but 27% of subjects had 67% of the total amount of caries for the group and all of these would have been detected by the bacterial test. <53> UI - 90075669 AU - Klock B AU - Emilson CG AU - Lind SO AU - Gustavsdotter M AU - Olhede-Westerlund AM IN - Bohuslandstinget, Partille, Sweden. TI - Prediction of caries activity in children with today's low caries incidence. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1989 Dec;17(6):285-8 AB - One hundred 14-yr-old children were observed over 1 yr to find out if caries incidence and caries progression could be predicted in a low prevalence child population by means of well-known caries related factors. The mean caries incidence was low (0.45, SD 0.70) but, on the other hand, 32% of the children developed at least one new lesion during the test period. In only eight out of 35 children progressing lesions were demonstrated. Independent variables at baseline examination were caries prevalence, sucrose intake, fluoride exposure, oral hygiene, saliva secretion rate, and salivary concentrations of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. A weak but statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between caries incidence and caries prevalence. No other significant correlations were shown. It was concluded that caries activity could not be predicted in this population. Low disease prevalence was a major reason for the weak correlations. <54> UI - 90019983 AU - Camling E AU - Emilson CG IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Results with the caries activity test "Cariostat" compared to prevalence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. SO - Swedish Dental Journal 1989;13(4):125-30 AB - The colorimetric test, Cariostat (Sankin, Japan), for measuring the caries activity, based on the presence of acidogenic microorganisms, was evaluated. The results were compared with the prevalence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in the samples. Pure cultures of S. mutans and lactobacilli were inoculated into the test medium. A maximum color change from blue to yellow was not obtained not even when large numbers of bacteria were used. Samples of stimulated saliva and plaque samples from people with different salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were inoculated into the test medium. Samples with very low or very high numbers of cariogenic bacteria were found in all score groups indicating that the Cariostat test did not satisfactorily differentiate samples with low or high numbers of microorganisms associated with dental caries. <55> UI - 90016117 AU - Epstein JB AU - Loh R AU - Stevenson-Moore P AU - McBride BC AU - Spinelli J IN - Cancer Control Agency of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. TI - Chlorhexidine rinse in prevention of dental caries in patients following radiation therapy. SO - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology 1989 Oct;68(4):401-5 AB - Patients who receive cancer radiotherapy, which compromises salivary gland function, may develop xerostomia. These patients are at increased risk to develop rampant dental caries. Streptococcus mutans and species of lactobacillus have been associated with dental caries. Quantitative counts of these organisms demonstrated high caries risk in 85% of patients studied. The use of chlorhexidine rinse to reduce the counts of S. mutans and lactobacillus was studied. A modest reduction in S. mutans was seen, but little effect was demonstrated on lactobacillus counts. Caries activity was shown to be related to lactobacillus count. <56> UI - 90019312 AU - Crossner CG AU - Claesson R AU - Johansson T IN - Postgraduate Dental Education Center, Orebro, Sweden. TI - Presence of mutans streptococci and various types of lactobacilli in interdental spaces related to development of proximal carious lesions. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1989 Aug;97(4):307-15 AB - During a 2-yr study period samples from saliva, the tongue, and 276 interdental spaces were obtained from 23 7-yr-old children in order to (a) relate the presence of lactobacilli in various oral sites to the occurrence of lactobacilli in saliva, and (b) relate the presence of mutans streptococci and various types of lactobacilli interdentally to the development of proximal carious lesions. The results showed an increased number of interdental samples containing lactobacilli with an increasing number of salivary lactobacilli. Furthermore, lactobacilli were never found interdentally without the presence of mutans streptocci, lactobacilli proved to be the more suitable microorganism for prediction of proximal carious lesions. Neither the number nor the differentiation into different species of interdental lactobacilli seemed to be of importance, but simply whether they were present. The presence of lactobacilli probably reflects a caries-inducing environment (etiologic microflora + fermentable carbohydrates), thus explaining their high predictive ability compared to their rather limited etiologic importance in the initiation of decay. <57> UI - 90004234 AU - Sullivan A AU - Granath L AU - Widenheim J IN - Department of Pedodontics, University of Lund, School of Dentistry, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Correlation between child caries incidence and S. mutans/lactobacilli in saliva after correction for confounding factors. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1989 Oct;17(5):240-4 AB - The correlation between caries incidence and Streptococcus mutans/lactobacilli in saliva was studied in two different age groups, followed from ages 5 to 7 and from 12 to 14. The coefficients of correlation were computed before and after correction for the confounding effect of oral hygiene and the alternative bacteria. The best value for S. mutans was found for the total material in the younger age group (r = 0.24). For lactobacilli the best value was found for the total materials and in the subgroup with less favorable oral hygiene and S. mutans count in the older age group (r = 0.18). The connection between caries incidence and these bacteria was shown to be weak at the individual level, particularly after correction for confounding. The caries differences at group level between subgroups with less favorable and favorable counts of the bacteria were also checked after correction for confounders. The "reduction" figures for S. mutans varied between 23 and 63% and for lactobacilli between 8 and 37% in the two sets of material. <58> UI - 90003087 AU - Makinen KK AU - Soderling E AU - Isokangas P AU - Tenovuo J AU - Tiekso J IN - School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. TI - Oral biochemical status and depression of Streptococcus mutans in children during 24- to 36-month use of xylitol chewing gum. SO - Caries Research 1989;23(4):261-7 AB - Plaque and whole saliva samples were collected from initially 11- to 12-year-old children randomly chosen from two groups which participated in a 2- to 3-year field trial designed to test the efficacy of xylitol chewing gums in caries prevention. No initial differences were observed between the groups with regard to the plaque levels of Streptococcus mutans, but at the end of the 2-year xylitol gum regimen, the levels were smaller (p less than 0.05) in children using xylitol gum than in control children. In a similar follow-up study on children who were considered to be at high risk with regard to dental caries and who continued the study over a 3rd year, the xylitol-consuming subjects showed at the end of the study significantly smaller (p less than 0.004) salivary S. mutans counts than the control children. These effects were achieved after using up to 3 xylitol gums/day (daily xylitol dose per child was 7-10 g). Salivary flow rate and several salivary chemical parameters did not change. <59> UI - 89391774 AU - Wijeyeweera RL AU - Kleinberg I IN - Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook 11794. TI - Arginolytic and ureolytic activities of pure cultures of human oral bacteria and their effects on the pH response of salivary sediment and dental plaque in vitro. SO - Archives of Oral Biology 1989;34(1):43-53 AB - Thirty-nine different microorganisms commonly found in supragingival plaque and salivary sediment were screened for their ability to raise the pH by producing base from arginine, lysylarginine and urea. Only Actinomyces naeslundii and Staphylococcus epidermidis showed significant pH-rise activity with all three compounds. Eleven bacteria demonstrated such activity with arginine and lysylarginine but not with urea. Only one, Actinomyces viscosus, produced a pH-rise with urea but not with the two arginine compounds. The remaining 26 bacteria showed little or no base-forming activity with any of the three test substrates. The ability of the different oral bacteria to produce base (especially from urea) was a less universal function than their ability to produce acid from fermentable carbohydrate. Substituting pure cultures of arginolytic or non-arginolytic bacteria for portions of the mixed bacterial populations of plaque or sediment in test incubations containing glucose and arginine altered their ability to produce pH-fall-pH-rise responses shaped like those of the Stephen curve in vivo. In general, addition of arginolytic bacteria made these in vitro pH responses less acidic, whereas addition of non-arginolytic bacteria made the responses more acidic. Because of the relatively high arginolytic activity of the plaque harvested in this study, the effect of adding non-arginolytic bacteria was more readily seen than the converse. Similar changes in levels of ureolytic microorganisms and incubation with glucose and urea had little effect on sediment or plaque being able to produce a pH-fall-pH-rise type of response. When increasing proportions of the mixed bacteria in salivary sediment were replaced with the highly cariogenic Lactobacillus casei or Streptococcus mutans, the pH minimum became slightly more acidic and then slightly more alkaline, whereas the pH-rise became progressively and significantly less. Thus arginolytic bacteria have a different and greater effect on shaping the pH response of plaque or sediment than ureolytic bacteria. A large change in the proportions of arginolytic or non-arginolytic microorganisms may be needed to make a plaque microflora potentially non-cariogenic or cariogenic, respectively. <60> UI - 89354468 AU - Ziesenitz SC AU - Siebert G AU - Imfeld T IN - Division of Experimental Dentistry, University of Wurzburg, FRG. TI - Cariological assessment of leucrose [D-glucopyranosyl-alpha(1----5)-D-fructopyranose] as a sugar substitute. SO - Caries Research 1989;23(5):351-7 AB - Leucrose [D-glucosyl-alpha(1----5)-D-fructopyranose] prepared by microbial-enzymatic transglycosidation from sucrose, is the first alpha(1----5)-linked disaccharide which possesses excellent nutritional properties with regard to metabolic utilization and is well tolerated. The aim of the present work was to assess its cariogenic potential. Yeast invertase was shown to be inhibited by leucrose in a noncompetitive way, while hydrogenated leucrose (leucritol) acted as an activator. Plaque polysaccharide forming glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus cricetus AHT were not influenced by leucrose, but by leucritol. Essentially no acid formation was observed after incubation of leucrose with suspensions of human dental plaque, S. mutans NCTC 10449, Lactobacillus casei LSB 132 and Actinomyces viscosus Ny 1 No. 30. Leucrose was a competitive inhibitor of the acid formation from sucrose by S. mutans NCTC 10449 at neutral pH. Furthermore, leucrose inhibited at neutral pH considerably the uptake of sucrose by S. mutans NCTC 10449. The uptake of fructose and maltose was also inhibited but that of glucose not at all. In Cara rats as the animal model, leucrose was compared to sucrose and to corn starch for its cariogenic potential. In sharp contrast to the group fed with 30% sucrose, caries scores of the 30% leucrose group were not significantly different from the starch group. pH telemetry with an indwelling electrode in man proved lueucrose to be 'safe for teeth' since plaque pH did not drop below pH 5.7. Leucrose is a novel noncariogenic disaccharide and thus represents a highly promising sugar substitute for caries prevention. <61> UI - 89369240 AU - Kalfas S IN - Department of Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Sorbitol and dental plaque. Aspects of caries-related microbiological and biochemical factors. SO - Swedish Dental Journal - Supplement 1989;63:1-43 <62> UI - 89352149 AU - Wilson RF AU - Ashley FP TI - Identification of caries risk in schoolchildren: salivary buffering capacity and bacterial counts, sugar intake and caries experience as predictors of 2-year and 3-year caries increment. SO - British Dental Journal 1989 Aug 5;167(3):99-102 AB - Six variables which are capable of measurement at the chairside were assessed for their ability to identify children who would experience high caries increments during the subsequent 2 or 3-year period. The predictor variables measured in 84 urban schoolchildren, aged 11-12 years at baseline, were: baseline caries experience, salivary buffering power, counts of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli, and two estimates of between-meal sugar intake. All the predictor variables showed statistically significant correlations with either 2-year or 3-year caries increment. Approximately 25% of subjects were identified as high risk individuals on the basis of a 2-year DFS increment of 5 and above, or a 3-year increment of 8 and above. None of the predictor variables achieved the target predictive value of 80%, either individually or in combination. The combination of Streptococcus mutans counts and buffering capacity measurements at baseline correctly identified low risk during the 3-year period in 78% of individuals (specificity), but only identified 12 out of 19 individuals (63%) at high risk (sensitivity), giving a predictive value of 75%. The predictive value for baseline caries experience was 66%. The results of the present study indicate that the salivary diagnostic tests have potential, but need further development before they can be used with confidence in clinical practice. <63> UI - 89332630 AU - Vidal OP AU - Schroder U IN - Department of Pedodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Lund, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Dental health status in Latin-American preschool children in Malmo. SO - Swedish Dental Journal 1989;13(3):103-9 AB - Seventy-three 3-6-year-old preschool children from Latin-American countries living in Malmo were examined in order to evaluate their oral health status. The children had on average 3.5 dmf teeth and 4.9 dmf surfaces. Forty-one per cent were caries-free. Oral hygiene was satisfactory in 25% of the children. Regarding dietary habits, 41% of the children had more than two unsuitable intakes per day. Night-time use of a nursing bottle with sugar-containing beverage was reported for 30%. The mean dmfs values differed significantly between children with and without S. mutans and lactobacilli in their saliva. Oral health status deviated markedly from the total group of 3-6-year-olds in Malmo, which might be explained by differences in cultural background and the ability to speak and understand Swedish. In conclusion, the Latin-American preschool children and their families should be regarded as a risk group for caries and gingivitis and consequently be subjected to special preventive dental care. <64> UI - 89256029 AU - Etemadzadeh H AU - Meurman JH AU - Murtomaa H AU - Torkko H AU - Lappi L AU - Roos M IN - Department of Cariology, University of Helsinki, Finland. TI - Effect on plaque growth and salivary micro-organisms of amine fluoride-stannous fluoride and chlorhexidine-containing mouthrinses. SO - Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1989 Mar;16(3):175-8 AB - Amine fluoride-stannous fluoride mouthrinse was tested in a double-blind cross-over clinical trial on 16 healthy subjects. Chlorhexidine mouthrinse prepared in the same colour and taste was used as the control. After a preparatory phase of 2 weeks, during which the subjects' plaque and gingival indices were reduced to zero by professional cleaning, 1-week test periods without mechanical cleaning were started in random order. The fluoride test solution did not prevent plaque accumulation and growth of salivary S. mutans and lactobacilli as did chlorhexidine. Furthermore, the plaque wet weight was statistically highly significantly greater during test periods of fluoride rinsing than during the chlorhexidine phase. The cleansing effect, as subjectively estimated by questionnaire, was in favour of chlorhexidine, but discolorations of teeth were assessed as significantly worse during chlorhexidine periods. Neither of the test solutions showed any effect on salivary flow rate, pH, buffering capacity, or lysosomal enzyme activity. <65> UI - 89222277 AU - Sullivan A AU - Schroder U IN - Department of Pedodontics, University of Lund, School of Dentistry, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Systematic analysis of gingival state and salivary variables as predictors of caries from 5 to 7 years of age. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1989 Feb;97(1):25-32 AB - The aim was to assess the caries predictive ability of gingival state, salivary counts of lactobacilli and S. mutans, salivary secretion rate and buffer capacity of the saliva from the ages of 5 to 7 yr. The material comprised 105 children who were examined once a year. All available screening levels were systematically tested for the single variables as well as for combinations of two or three variables. The screening levels were set where the highest possible sensitivity and specificity were reached simultaneously. The predictive values for positive and negative tests were then calculated. The S. mutans count turned out to have the best combination of sensitivity (0.41) and specificity (0.83). The single variables gingival state and S. mutans had constant screening levels, while the values for lactobacilli and buffer capacity varied. The saliva secretion rate could not be measured at 5 yr of age. Systematic analyses of predictive ability of combinations of two or three variables were then performed and did not result in any clinically significant improvements of the predictive ability. The observed low predictive ability might be explained by the fact that 1) many children changed their habits during the period of investigation and 2) they were examined and treated once a year according to their individual needs, which meant variations in conservative as well as in preventive treatment. <66> UI - 89183084 AU - Sundh B AU - Emilson CG IN - Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Salivary and microbial conditions and dental health in patients with Crohn's disease: a 3-year study. SO - Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology 1989 Mar;67(3):286-90 AB - Salivary and microbial conditions and dental status were examined in 21 patients randomly selected from a group of patients with Crohn's disease. Three years later, the patients were recalled and the same factors were reexamined. The results showed that the caries experience in these patients was higher than that observed in age-matched subjects in a normal reference population. Dietary examination disclosed no changes in intake frequencies of different common food items during the 3-year period. All patients had a normal saliva flow rate and buffer capacity. Protein concentration tended to increase and sialic acid to decrease when compared with available reference data. The number of salivary mutans streptococci organisms and lactobacilli was high both at baseline and after 3 years, and no significant differences were observed between the two examinations. Patients with Crohn's disease belong to a high-risk group in relation to caries and should be given comprehensive preventive caries measures. <67> UI - 89203208 AU - Carlsson J IN - Department of Oral Microcbiology, University of Umea, Sweden. TI - Microbial aspects of frequent intake of products with high sugar concentrations. [Review] [29 refs] SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1989 Apr;97(2):110-4 AB - The Vipeholm Study showed that a frequent intake of products with high sugar concentrations increases caries activity. This effect of sugar was explained by the acid production of bacteria on the teeth. In the following 40 yr many microbial characteristics have been described, which are important in the pathogenesis of dental caries. This contribution focuses on one characteristic of the cariogenic bacteria; their acidurance. Compared to other oral bacteria the cariogenic lactobacilli and mutans streptococci have enzymes with greater resistance to acid, and greater capacities of the cells to extrude protons from the cytoplasm. The most important enzyme for the extrusion of protons is a membrane-bound proton-translocating ATPase. This enzyme is found in higher amounts and is working at lower pH in the cariogenic bacteria. Another important characteristic of the cariogenic bacteria is their production of lactic acid when they are exposed to high concentrations of sugar. Lactic acid has a pK of 3.8, while other carboxylic acids have a pK of 4.8. The bacterial cell membrane is permeable to undissociated carboxylic acids. These undissociated acids act as carriers to bring protons back into the cytoplasm. Bacteria with lactic acid as fermentation product have therefore the possibility to grow and produce acids at one pH unit lower than bacteria with, for example, acetic, propionic, or butyric acid as fermentation product. [References: 29] <68> UI - 89203210 AU - Carlsson P IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, Lund University, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Distribution of mutans streptococci in populations with different levels of sugar consumption. [Review] [4 refs] SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1989 Apr;97(2):120-5 AB - The observations in the Vipeholm Study regarding sugar consumption and oral lactobacillus counts were reviewed in relation to recent data on the epidemiology of mutans streptococci. The mutans streptococci were not present in higher counts in a population with high level of sugar consumption compared to two populations with a low level. As expected, differences were found in the caries prevalence between the different populations. An association between bacterial count and dental caries status could be demonstrated at the low level of sugar consumption and caries prevalence. Strains of mutans streptococci isolated in a population with extremely low caries prevalence were shown to be cariogenic in the hamster model. It is apparent that the observations made in the Vipeholm Study and the present finding have similarities, although different bacteria are studied. It was concluded that the difference in diet between the populations or groups were not sufficient to affect the counts of lactobacilli or mutans streptococci, but may have been sufficient to create the differences in caries prevalence. [References: 4] <69> UI - 89203214 AU - Saxen L AU - Jousimies-Somer H AU - Kaisla A AU - Kanervo A AU - Summanen P AU - Sipila I IN - Department of Periodontology, University of Helsinki, Finland. TI - Subgingival microflora, dental and periodontal conditions in patients with hereditary fructose intolerance. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1989 Apr;97(2):150-8 AB - Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is a rare autosomally recessive disease which leads to severe hypoglycemia. The fructose-free diet of these patients apparently influences dental health. Half of the patients are free of caries, but there are no reports on their periodontal condition nor on the composition of their subgingival microflora. Therefore 18 patient with HFI were examined for the following parameters: radiographic bone loss, caries rate, gingival bleeding, occurrence of calculus, pocket depths, salivary flow rate, buffer capacity and pH from paraffin wax-stimulated saliva. Salivary S. mutans and lactobacilli were also enumerated. Specific antibody titers from whole saliva and serum to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans gamma 4, Bacteroides gingivalis, and Capnocytophaga ochracea were determined with ELISA. Finally the subgingival plaque was analyzed by culture. Altogether 196 anaerobic or microaerophilic isolates representing 29 different species were obtained from the HFI patients and 164 isolates of 26 species from the controls. The frequency of Actinomyces odontolyticus, Veillonella parvula, and Wolinella recta in the HFI patients was significantly high The DMF-induces were lower in the study group than in the controls and so was the occurrence of S. mutans and lactobacilli in the saliva. Of the periodontal parameters examined, the only difference found was an increased incidence of gingival bleeding and calculus formation in the HFI patients. The results suggest that in the HFI patients the common gingival bleeding is associated with the more frequent occurrence of Actinomyces odontolyticus, Veillonella parvula, and Wolinella recta. <70> UI - 89162266 AU - Bjarnason S IN - Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. TI - On dental health in Icelandic children. Observations during a clinical dentifrice trial. SO - Swedish Dental Journal - Supplement 1989;57:1-40 AB - Dental health and the relative caries preventive effect of different fluoride dentifrice formulations were assessed in an Icelandic child population. For a cross sectional study 1370 children, aged 11 and 12 years were examined for caries and periodontal conditions employing standardized methods. Longitudinal data were obtained from 1161 children, participating in a three-year dentifrice trial. Randomly selected subgroups were employed to study salivary levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, consumption of high-sucrose products and enamel fluoride content in relation to caries experience. Relative caries preventive effect of anticalculus agents (HEBP and AHBP) and lowered fluoride concentration (250 ppm) in dentifrices were evaluated in a three-year double blind randomized clinical trial. At the baseline examination a comparatively high mean caries prevalence (DFS 9.9) was registered. Longitudinal observations showed a mean caries increment of 10.5 surfaces during a three-year period. Simultaneously an improvement of gingival health was observed. A majority of children harbored mutans streptococci (98%) and lactobacilli (92%). High numbers of either microorganism were associated with high caries prevalence. S. sobrinus carriers were more frequent among children with high numbers of CFU per ml saliva. The consumption of sugar-containing products was generally frequent. Higher caries increment was associated with consumption of sweets and bakery products during mealtimes. The fluoride content of surface enamel was comparatively low, reflecting scarce post eruptive exposure. Dentifrice, containing 250 ppm fluoride showed significantly lower caries preventive effect compared to 1000 ppm sodium fluoride and MFP formulations. Addition of anticalculus agents (biphosphonates) had no negative effect on reducing caries increment. These studies show that dental caries constitutes a major health problem among Icelandic children, where high sugar consumption and comparatively low exposure to fluoride appear to play major roles. The use of fluoride dentifrice has not been able to limit caries development. <71> UI - 89151359 AU - Alaluusua S AU - Nystrom M AU - Gronroos L AU - Peck L IN - Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, University of Helsinki, Finland. TI - Caries-related microbiological findings in a group of teenagers and their parents. SO - Caries Research 1989;23(1):49-54 AB - The levels of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli and caries experience were studied in 113 teenagers and 163 adults. The study population consisted of 82 mother-child and 73 father-child pairs. The number of decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces (DMFS) was eightfold higher in adults than in teenagers (56.4 +/- 22.8 vs. 7.3 +/- 6.7). The percentage distribution of the level of salivary S. mutans and lactobacilli was approximately the same in both groups. The mean number of DMFS increased with increasing levels of salivary S. mutans and lactobacilli, the correlation being highly significant both in teenagers and adults. There was a significant correlation of the DMFS indices in the mother-child pairs (r = 0.364), but the correlation was not significant in the father-child pairs (r = 0.138). The salivary level of S. mutans was higher in the children of mothers with high DMFS values compared to the children of mothers with low DMFS values. <72> UI - 90045596 AU - Wyatt CC AU - MacEntee MI AU - McBride BC TI - A simple and rapid plaque-sampling assay for monitoring the number of cariogenic organisms. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1988 Mar;3(1):40-1 <73> UI - 89331027 AU - Fure S AU - Krasse B TI - Comparison between different methods for sampling cariogenic microorganisms in persons with exposed root surfaces. SO - Oral Microbiology & Immunology 1988 Dec;3(4):173-6 <74> UI - 89227725 AU - Kaufman HW AU - Pollock JJ AU - Gwinnett AJ IN - Department of Oral Biology and Pathology, School of Dental Medicine, SUNY, Stony Brook 11794-8702. TI - Microbial caries induction in the roots of human teeth in vitro. SO - Archives of Oral Biology 1988;33(7):499-503 AB - Streptococcus mutans GS5, Lactobacillus casei DSM20011 and Actinomyces viscosus T14 produce artificial caries in the roots of extracted teeth. Roots were coated with wax leaving an 8 mm2 window exposed on the buccal surfaces, and then incubated for 8 days in the presence of the test organism, the synthetic medium being changed each day. Samples were then examined by SEM, or microradiographs were obtained from 120 microns sections. The pH at the root surface at the end of the induction averaged 4.43, 5.00 and 5.20, and the lesion depths measured on the microradiographs averaged 121, 83 and 34 microns, for Strep. mutans, L. casei and A. viscosus respectively. This relationship between pH and lesion depth confirms earlier findings. As all of these organisms can produce lesions in tooth structure, elimination of one type would probably not eliminate caries. <75> UI - 89145186 AU - Paunio P AU - Hakkinen P AU - Tenovuo J AU - Niva A AU - Lumikari M TI - Dip-slide scores of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli of Finnish mothers in the Turku area, Finland, during the first nursing year. SO - Proceedings of the Finnish Dental Society 1988;84(5-6):271-7 <76> UI - 89108638 AU - Krasse B IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. TI - Biological factors as indicators of future caries. [Review] [47 refs] SO - International Dental Journal 1988 Dec;38(4):219-25 AB - During the last ten years the principal biological factors which have been used as indicators of future caries activity are counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. The evidence that these micro-organisms play a key role in the development of dental caries has now become very strong. Methods for the identification and enumeration of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva and plaque material have been developed which are both feasible and reliable. In a few studies counts of these micro-organisms together with other factors have been related to caries incidence. The validity of the various tests show a large variation but in some studies the predictive value has been high. The best prediction of future caries activity is obtained by the combination of factors which are important contributors to the pathogenesis of dental caries. [References: 47] <77> UI - 89084490 AU - Rask PI AU - Emilson CG AU - Krasse B AU - Sundberg H IN - Department of Cariology, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden. TI - Effect of preventive measures in 50-60-year-olds with a high risk of dental caries. SO - Scandinavian Journal of Dental Research 1988 Dec;96(6):500-4 AB - Salivary and microbial conditions were examined in 124 50-60-yr-old patients attending a dental clinic of the Public Dental Health Service. They were then randomly divided into a control and a test group. Patients with low salivary secretion rate and buffer capacity and high numbers of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in the test group received special caries preventive measures during 1 yr. In the control group all patients were given prevention according to routine procedures. The incidence of dental caries between the groups was compared. The risk patients in the control group developed 1.67 new carious lesions as compared to 0.19 in the test group. The difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Also the numbers of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were significantly lower in the risk patients in the test group after 1 yr compared with baseline values. After the experimental year all patients were treated according to routine procedures. Five years after the start of the study a new examination showed increased caries activity in the risk patients in the test group and the gain which had been made during the experimental year was almost lost. <78> UI - 89077902 AU - Soderholm G AU - Birkhed D IN - Department of Periodontology, University of Lund, School of Dentistry, Malmo, Sweden. TI - Caries predicting factors in adult patients participating in a dental health program. SO - Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology 1988 Dec;16(6):374-7 AB - The main purpose was to study various factors with respect to predicting dental caries. From a population of 442 employees at a shipyard, 68 patients with an average age of 56 yr were selected for the present investigation. They were examined once a year during a 2-yr period with respect to: 1) number of new caries lesions, and 2) a series of caries related factors, i.e., DMFS, oral hygiene status, dietary habits, numbers of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in saliva, and secretion rate and buffer effect of saliva. The median values of all studied variables as found at the baseline examination were more favorable in the caries inactive (n = 30) than in the caries active group (n = 38), but only DMFS (P less than 0.001), dietary score (P less than 0.05), and number of S. mutans in saliva (P less than 0.05) differed significantly between the two groups. Number of S. mutans showed the highest sensitivity value, followed by dietary score. The main conclusion from this study is, however, that in spite of a relationship between caries activity and unfavorable values, especially for DMFS, dietary score, and number of S. mutans in saliva, it would have been difficult to predict the caries active patients on an individual level. <79> UI - 89032671 AU - Anonymous TI - Review of methods of identification of high caries risk groups and individuals. Federation Dentaire Internationale Technical Report No. 31. [Review] [143 refs] SO - International Dental Journal 1988 Sep;38(3):177-89 AB - The search for methods of predicting dental caries activity began during the last century. The purpose of this review was to update the report on methods of caries prediction which resulted from the 1977 workshop, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Washington, DC, and also to identify the methods most likely to provide effective prediction of caries risk which should be given high priority in future research. The factors that need to be considered in assessing the value of a method of predicting caries risk are the correlation coefficient between the predictions and the final caries scores and in particular an assessment of the ability of the method to recognize subjects who will develop caries (sensitivity) and to exclude those who will not (specificity). The predictive power of the method should also be known. There is, however, the risk that when predictive tests are applied to a population with decreasing caries prevalence the number classified as false positive could be increased. This may limit the cost-effectiveness of preventive technique. The requirements of a good method of predicting dental caries are that the method should be simple, inexpensive and rapid and should identify subjects who will become diseased and exclude subjects who will remain healthy. To date, a wide variety of factors have been considered in the search for an effective method of predicting caries risk, but only a few have had some success. Certain epidemiological methods have shown reasonable sensitivity but less specificity. Measures in this category include specific indicator surfaces and DMFT increment in the previous year. Among the more useful specific tests have been mutans streptococci and lactobacillus counts and measurement of saliva buffering capacity. Other methods that show some promise include the physical measurement of incipient carious lesions of enamel. The measurement of possible determinants of a multifactorial disease is extremely difficult and regardless of which single method has been tried the authors have usually concluded that it is difficult to develop a reliable method of identifying caries susceptible individuals from the method. To a lesser extent the same conclusions have been applied to methods for identifying risk groups. There does, however, appear to have been little research in which a combination of tests or methods have been used, particularly combinations of tests that involve different scientific disciplines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) [References: 143] <80> UI - 89035070 AU - Bentley C AU - Crawford JJ AU - Broderius CA IN - Department of Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599. TI - Analytical and physiological variability of salivary microbial counts. SO - Journal of Dental Research 1988 Nov;67(11):1409-13 AB - Quantitation of mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacillus has been proposed as a method for the identification of patients at high risk for dental caries. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the analytical and physiological variability of this procedure. Variability due to specimen collection and processing was investigated by repeated sampling studies. Sample stability was investigated over storage periods of up to 72 hr at 5 degrees C, room temperature, and 37 degrees C. Physiological variability was investigated by performance of serial analyses on ten individuals, who collected six samples at intervals on a single day, and rising and noon samples on ten subsequent days. Sample collection, rather than sample processing, was found to be the major factor determining the