Candida, mutans streptococci, oral hygiene and caries in children

• Published in: The Journal of clinical pediatric dentistry Vol. 36; no. 2; p. 185
• Main Authors: Peretz, B, Mazor, Y, Dagon, N, Bar-Ness Greenstein, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Candida - isolation & purification; Candida - pathogenicity; Chi-Square Distribution; Child; Dental Caries - microbiology; Dental Devices, Home Care - microbiology; Dental Plaque Index; DMF Index; Female; Humans; Male; Periodontal Index; Risk Factors; Saliva - microbiology; Statistics, Nonparametric; Streptococcus mutans - isolation & purification; Toothbrushing - instrumentation
• ISSN: 1053-4628
• DOI: 10.17796/jcpd.36.2.f1m4283501374t22

to test the association between Candida and mutans streptococci (ms), oral hygiene and caries levels and in children.
22 boys and 12 girls (age 6 to 14.5 years) participated in the study. Each participant received a toothbrush, and was asked to brush his/her teeth after proper instructions. Dental caries and oral hygiene were recorded. Candida and ms levels were determined in saliva samples.
Candida colonies were observed in 70.5% of the children. No association was found between Candida and caries or plaque and gingival indices. C. albicans-positive children demonstrated significantly higher brushing scores.
Our findings may suggest that there is no clear association between Candida in saliva, and levels of cariogenic bacteria and caries risk in children.