Streptococcus mutans counts obtained by a dip-slide method in relation to caries frequency, sucrose intake and flow rate of saliva.

The level of Streptococcus mutans in saliva was determined by a dip-slide method in 841 13-year-old children in order to identify children with high caries risk. For each child, the flow rate of saliva was determined. Caries scores were obtained from Public Dental Health records. A sucrose intake score was calculated based on self-reported frequency of intake of six types of sugary products. As S. mutans counts increased, there was a significant trend of increased DMFS and DS scores. No linear correlation was observed between reported intake of sucrose and S. mutans counts, but the children with the highest counts (class 3) tended to have significantly higher sucrose intake than the rest of the children. The flow rate of saliva decreased significantly as S. mutans increased.