Comparison of levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in children with nursing bottle caries, rampant caries, healthy children with 3-5 dmft/DMFT and healthy caries free children.

Ten children from each group of nursing caries, rampant caries, 3-5 dmft/DMFT and caries free children were selected and plaque samples from carious lesion, early carious lesion, sound tooth surface as well as salivary sample were collected. The levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were estimated at all the sample sites. The result further supported the role of mutans streptococci in the initiation and of lactobacilli in the progression of the dental caries.