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The Association of Mutans Streptococci and Non-Mutans Streptococci Capable of Acidogenesis at a Low pH with Dental Caries on Enamel and Root Surfaces

Departments of Oral Microbiology

J. Van Houte

Departments of Oral Microbiology

K. Joshipura

Department of Clinical Trials and Human Experimentation

R. Kent

Department of Clinical Trials and Human Experimentation

H.C. Margolis

Department of Physical Chemistry, Forsyth Dental Center, 140 The Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Coronal dental plaque from each of 12 caries-positive subjects (Group I) was pooled from "white spot" tooth surface areas and, separately, from sound surface areas; sound surface areas in each of 18 caries-free subjects (Group II) were sampled similarly. Two samples, one consisting of material from a root-surface lesion and another of plaque from a sound root-surface area, were obtained from each of another 10 subjects (Group III). The samples from Groups I and II were evaluated for: (1) pH-lowering potential in vitro with dispersed plaque suspensions, excess glucose supply, and a 60-minute test; (2) the levels of mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli; and (3) the distribution of the predominant non-mutans streptococci (non-MS) according to their final pH in glucose broth; only microbial analysis was done for the Group III samples. The levels of the MS were generally positively associated with caries. A weaker positive association was found for the levels of those non-MS capable of acidogenesis at low pH (final pH < 4.4). The latter generally far outnumbered the MS in all types of samples. The levels of lactobacilli were nearly always very low. The pH-lowering potential (final pH and pH drop rate) was higher for plaque from "white spot" areas than for plaque from sound surface areas (Group I). The samples from caries-free subjects (Group II), however, exhibited a pH-lowering potential which was not significantly different from that of both types of samples from the caries-active subjects (Group I). Collectively, the findings suggest that the role of non-MS capable of acidogenesis at low pH in caries development merits further study.

Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 72, No. 2, 508-516 (1993)
DOI: 10.1177/00220345930720020701


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