Närhi T O, Vehkalahti M M, Siukosaari P, Ainamo A
Department of Oral Function and Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Caries Res. 1998;32(1):5-9. doi: 10.1159/000016423.
Root caries is one of the main dental problems among the dentate old elderly. The aim of our study was to evaluate the occurrence of root caries in 196 dentate elderly (mean age 79.3) in relation to their salivary flow rate, buffering capacity and salivary microbial counts. These subjects participated in the oral health component of the Helsinki Aging Study in 1990-1991. Clinical oral examinations included assessment of the state of root surfaces and salivary flow rates, both paraffin-wax-stimulated and unstimulated. Salivary buffering capacity and the growth of salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts were determined by means of commercially available kits. Root caries occurred in 52% of men and in 35% of women (p < 0.05). Number of decayed (DRS) and decayed or filled (DFRS) root surfaces correlated (r = 0.16 to 0.26) with salivary microbial counts. No correlation appeared between DRS and subjects' salivary flow rates. Basic estimates on the association between DRS and salivary findings showed that microbial counts only produced significant odds ratios, from 2.0 to 3.5. However, in a log-linear model high salivary mutans streptococci and yeast counts together with male gender were associated with greater occurrence of root caries.
根龋是有牙老年人主要的口腔问题之一。我们研究的目的是评估196名有牙老年人（平均年龄79.3岁）根龋的发生情况与其唾液流速、缓冲能力及唾液微生物计数之间的关系。这些受试者于1990 - 1991年参与了赫尔辛基老龄化研究的口腔健康部分。临床口腔检查包括对根面状况和唾液流速的评估，唾液流速分为石蜡刺激和非刺激两种情况。唾液缓冲能力以及唾液变形链球菌、乳酸菌和酵母菌的生长情况通过市售试剂盒进行测定。男性根龋发生率为52%，女性为35%（p < 0.05）。龋坏根面数（DRS）和龋坏或已充填根面数（DFRS）与唾液微生物计数相关（r = 0.16至0.26）。DRS与受试者的唾液流速之间未显示出相关性。关于DRS与唾液检测结果之间关联的基本估计表明，只有微生物计数产生了显著的优势比，范围为2.0至3.5。然而，在对数线性模型中，唾液变形链球菌和酵母菌计数较高以及男性性别与根龋发生率较高相关。
