Evaluation Of Streptococcus Mutans In Saliva Of
Caries Free And Caries Active Individuals In Gulbarga City
 

Sanjay Rathod^*, Channappa T.Shivannavar, Subhaschandra M.Gaddad
Department of Microbiology, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga-585106, Karnataka, (INDIA)

Background and objectives: The prevalence of dental caries in developed countries declining day by day, at the same time the incidence of dental caries is increasing in the developing countries even progress in hygiene and lifestyle. It is well established phenomenon that among the oral group of mutans streptococci, Streptococcus mutans is strongly associated with development of dental caries. Recent development suggested that not only the presence of S.mutans in the dental plaque and in saliva counts, but also, the number of cariogenic strains of S.mutans has tremendous affects on caries. Our study in Gulbarga city mainly emphasized, on the rate of isolation of S.mutans in the non stimulated saliva. METHODS: A total of 102 subjects, with or without dental caries and are with or without habitual to chewing or smoking tobacco were examined. All the isolates obtained, were further processed for Rapid biochemical identification tests kit and antimicrobial susceptibility tests was determined by according to clinical laboratory standards. RESULTS: A total of (50%) of individuals showed the presence of S.mutans in saliva samples. The isolation rate of S.mutans in the saliva samples from the individuals with caries was high of 57.14% then without caries (34.37%). However the highest incidence of S.mutans was observed in the saliva samples collected from the without caries of non-habitual individuals (75%) then with caries of habitual (54.16%). On the contrary in habitual individuals with caries showed highest percentage of (63.63%) then in the habitual without caries. Conclusion: Drastic reduction in saliva secretion and oral microbial flora including S.mutans suggests that chewing inhibits the dental plaque formation thus decreases the caries formation.