Diet, extent of dental plaque, and oral hygiene scores for caries-free and caries-active students were significantly different. Results of this study suggest that these three parameters are contributing supplementary factors to the development of dental caries in the caries-active group. An experimental dietary questionnaire method used in this study may be used by dentists to identify children with a caries-conducive diet and to prescribe treatment accordingly.

No abstract

This study compared caries inhibition in children by an amine fluoride and an acidulated phosphate fluoride when administered in a topically applied gel. In addition, the effects of applying amine fluoride daily and weekly were compared. Four hundred and sixty-eight children, ages 6 to 13, were randomly assigned to one of five treatment groups and received a total of five, 5-minute treatments. The treatment and interval between each of the five treatments were as follows:(A)acidulated phosphate fluoride daily, (B) amine fluoride daily, (C) amine fluoride weekly, (D) placebo daily, and (E) placebo weekly. When the children were examined for total Decayed, Missing, and Filled Surfaces (DMFS) increments 2 years later, no significant differences were observed. However, when the data were examined for effects of DMFS for specific tooth surface, significant restriction (61%) of occlusal increment was shown in the group which was treated with amine fluoride daily for 5 consecutive days as compared with the control group.

No significant difference was found in the prevalence of four potentially cariogenic streptococcal serotypes on molar surfaces of caries-free and caries-active students. Presence alone of these organisms did not correlate with the caries status of the individual. Other supplementary factors, apparently, are necessary for the induction of caries. Quantitative microbiologic procedures are needed to establish a more definitive elucidation of the role of specific microbiota in human dental caries.

Of 50 strains of lactobacilli isolated from dental plaque of school children, two strains, provisionally identified as Lactobacillus salivarius, and one strain, provisionally identified as Lactobacillus fermentum, induced significant caries activity in conventional hamsters. Sucrose was a required dietary cariogenic substrate and could not be replaced with glucose or starch. In contrast to cariogenic strains of Streptococcus mutans the active lactobacilli did not form adherent sucrose-mediated plaques in vitro, did not form intracellular iodophilic polysaccharides and did not form detectable insoluble extracellular polyglucans.