The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in adults living in Chandigarh and to determine whether or not there was a correlation between the individuals’ levels of dental caries and their S. mutans titers.
Both the Materials and the Methods:
Dentocult SM commercial kits were used to estimate the levels of streptococcus mutans in the saliva of 200 adults in the age range of 25 to 35 years old (males and females). In 87% of the study’s samples, the presence of Streptococcus mutans was found.
Score 2, which represents 105-106 CFU/ml of saliva, was found to be the most prevalent, i.e. in 80 of 200 adults. Score 1, which depicts S mutans with 105 CFU/ml, was found in 56 of 200 adults. Score 3, which had bacterial titer >106 CFU/ml, was found in 38 of 200 adults.
Results:
It was found that individuals with score 3 on Mller’s index had the highest levels of dental caries, followed by individuals with scores of 2,1, and 0. This indicates that there is a positive correlation between dental caries and increasing titers of S. mutans.
This correlation was statistically extremely significant in males, with figures that ranged from 8.73 decayed surfaces at score 2 to 17.38 at score 3. In the current study, the DMFT mean for females was found to be significantly higher than that of males.
Conclusion:
The data, when broken down by gender, revealed a correlation favoring a symbiotic relationship between caries experience and salivary S. mutans scores. The findings of the research will be utilized as a starting point for the planning of future preventive programs aimed at adults.
Keywords: Adults, dental caries, dentocult SM kits, Streptococcus mutans