OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between caries activity and the status of caries of primary teeth and the relationship between the quantity of Lactobacillus in the oral cavity and the status of dental caries. METHODS: The status of caries of primary teeth in 164 children ages 3 to 5 was examined. Caries incidence, mean DFT, and Caries Severity Index (CSI) were calculated. Based on the quantity of Lactobacilli in the saliva of preschool children detected with the Dentocult LB method of caries activity, four grades were classified: Grade 0 = 10(3) CFU/mL, Grade I = 10(4) CFU/mL, Grade II = 10(5) CFU/mL, and Grade III = 10(6) CFU/mL. RESULTS: The results showed that 34.15% of the children had caries status beyond Grade I. There were significant differences of caries status, DFT, and CSI among different grades, all of which increased with grades. There was a high correlation between grades and caries incidence, DFT, and CSI in the 164 preschool children. CONCLUSION: As a Caries Activity Test (CAT), detection of Lactobacilli may reveal the status of dental caries and provide valuable information for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.
OBJECTIVE: To clarify the relationship between caries activity and the status of caries of primary teeth and the relationship between the quantity of Lactobacillus in the oral cavity and the status of dental caries. METHODS: The status of caries of primary teeth in 164 children ages 3 to 5 was examined. Caries incidence, mean DFT, and Caries Severity Index (CSI) were calculated. Based on the quantity of Lactobacilli in the saliva of preschool children detected with the Dentocult LB method of caries activity, four grades were classified: Grade 0 = 10(3) CFU/mL, Grade I = 10(4) CFU/mL, Grade II = 10(5) CFU/mL, and Grade III = 10(6) CFU/mL. RESULTS: The results showed that 34.15% of the children had caries status beyond Grade I. There were significant differences of caries status, DFT, and CSI among different grades, all of which increased with grades. There was a high correlation between grades and caries incidence, DFT, and CSI in the 164 preschool children. CONCLUSION: As a Caries Activity Test (CAT), detection of Lactobacilli may reveal the status of dental caries and provide valuable information for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.