Bacterial Study of Dental Caries in Children

The objective of this study (which was done at College of Dentistry/University of Mousl from October 2012 till April 2017) was to estimate the correlations between dmft score and saliva pH with three oral cariogenic bacteria(Streptococcus mutans,oral lactobacilli and oral enterococci). Saliva was taken from sixty three children,their ages about 4-9 years. Inoculation of saliva were done on three types of the selective media;Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin agar, Rogosa SL and m Enterococcus agar (All media were from Himedia, India). After incubation at 37°C for 48 hours (anerobically for Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin and aerobically for m Enterococcus agar and Rogosa SL agar), colony forming units(CFU) were calculated. Mean of dmft of examined children was (6.3). Positive correlation was observed between dmft and Streptococcus mutans(p=0.553). No significant relations were found between dmft with oral lactobacilli and oral enterococci. Also, no significant relations were found between salivary pH and the three tested bacteria.