Erupting third molars and salivary lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans counts.

The salivary lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans counts in 217 university students of 25.4-yr-old were studied with regard to the state of eruption of their third molar teeth. Statistically significantly higher counts of both bacterial species were found in students who had one or more third molars partly erupted, compared with those whose third molars were lacking or fully erupted. No other parameters studied such as salivary flow rate or buffering capacity of the saliva were found to explain the high bacterial counts. These findings should be taken into consideration when interpreting salivary microbial counts in young adults. Also, special interest should be focused into these aspects at oral hygiene and dietary counseling of young patients.