Dental plaque pH and micro-organisms during hyposalivation.

• We have previously reported that minor gland and whole saliva flow rates and salivary proteins showed differences in individuals with primary Sj?gren's syndrome or head and neck radiation therapy, compared with controls (Eliasson et al., 2005). We now hypothesize that pH and number of acidogenic micro-organisms in dental plaque as well as saliva buffering capacity also differ in these individuals. Plaque pH was measured by the microtouch method up to 60 min after a sucrose rinse. Plaque collected from the same sites was analyzed for counts of total and acidic micro-organisms. Compared with their controls, the irradiated group but not the Sj?gren's syndrome group displayed significantly lower plaque pH, increased numbers of lactobacilli and Candida species, as well as reduced buffering capacity. Stepwise regression tests suggested that the buccal minor-salivary-gland secretion rate in the test groups and counts of mutans streptococci in the controls were of significant importance for dental plaque pH.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adolescent

Adult

Aged

Buffers

Child

Dental Plaque

chemistry

microbiology

Female

Head and Neck Neoplasms

radiotherapy

Humans

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration

radiation effects

Lactobacillus

isolation & purification

Male

Middle Aged

Radiotherapy

adverse effects

Reference Values

Saliva

chemistry

secretion

Salivary Glands

radiation effects

secretion

Salivation

radiation effects

Secretory Rate

radiation effects

Sjogren's Syndrome

complications

metabolism

physiopathology

Streptococcus mutans

isolation & purification

Xerostomia

etiology

physiopathology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)