Salivary count of Streptococcus mutans in caries prediction

ABSTRACT

The purposes of this study were to give the characteristics of Streptococcus mutans isolated from saliva, and the salivary level of S. mutans and its relationships with dental caries. Dental caries is a common infectious disease worldwide. The aetiology of the disease is multifactorial, life habits and streptococcus mutans infection being the most imporatent factors. Paraffin stimulated saliva was taken from 40 subjects of three age groups in sterilized glass tubes. The saliva sample was serially diluted on GSTB agar plates. The plates were incubated anaerobically at 37 °C for 48 hours in candle extinction jars. S. mutans were identified on the basis of morphologic and biochemical characteristics. Viable cell count of S. mutans [CPU I ml] was also done on GSTB agar plates. S. mutans were found in all samples in significant percentage. The results indicated that subjects that had dental caries harboured high level of S. mutans 10[6]> CPU I ml. In age group III, the percentage of subjects with high level of S.mutans and dental caries was found to be higher as compared to age group I and age group II.