Specific microorganisms and dental caries in children.

During the last decades it has been convincingly demonstrated that mutants streptococci and lactobacilli are of etiologic importance in dental caries. The knowledge has been applied in several clinical studies and the results show that microbiological examinations can be valuable adjuncts in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dental caries. Although dental caries has declined considerably, some children still develop high caries activity. It is important that such children are identified and given preventive treatment before they develop rampant decay. In this context pediatricians play an important role and the new microbiological knowledge can be a valuable tool.