RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Dental caries is one of the commonest oral diseases that require early stages of prevention and intervention. The primary organisms related to dental caries are streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli. In the past decades, some of the non-pathogenic bacteria called probiotics have been added to the food products for the beneficial effect of human health. Intake of probiotic food products has been shown to have beneficial effects on the oral tissues. Hence the present study aimed to compare the levels of salivary pH, S. mutans, B. dentium counts in children consuming probiotic and non-probiotic curd. METHODS AND MATERIAL: 40 healthy caries free children were randomly allocated into two groups. First baseline salivary samples were collected from all the participants and tested for salivary pH, salivary B. dentium and S. mutans count. After collecting the baseline values test group of children were provided with probiotic curd whereas the control group were provided with non probiotic curd for 15 days. After 15 days of consumption of these dairy products, salivary samples were collected again and tested for salivary pH, salivary B. dentium and S. mutans count. RESULTS: Probiotic curd was found to be more effective in reducing the colony counts of B.dentium and S.mutans. There was a marginal decrease in pH in both the groups but was well above the critical pH. CONCLUSIONS: Probiotic curd showed considerable level of decrease in colony counts of B.dentium, S.mutans and salivary pH when compared to normal curd.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Dental caries is the most common chronic disease of children aged 6-11 years. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System-Lesion Activity Assessment (ICDAS-LAA) is a precise tool for the clinical assessment of dental caries by visual appearance, tactile feeling, and potential for plaque accumulation. Ora test is a chairside tool to estimate the ability of acid produced by bacteria to cause demineralization, in a suitable environment. Aim of this study is to correlate ICDAS-LAA and Ora test in assessing the caries risk of a patient on the dental chair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 school children aged between 6 and 9 years were included in the study. Of 60 children, 30 (Group A) were caries free and 30 (Group B) had decayed missing extraction, filled (DMF) score of 1-3. All the children were initially subjected to ICDAS-LAA scoring, which was assessed by one examiner followed by chairside Ora test performed by another examiner. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was done using Pearson correlation test, and a negative linear relation was found between the time taken for color change in Ora test and ICDAS-LAA scores. CONCLUSION: A direct correlation exists between ICDAS-LAA scores and Ora test, which shows that microbial activity correlates well with lesion activity.
