SUCROSE RETENTION AND COLONIZATION BY MUTANS STREPTOCOCCI AT DIFFERENT SITES OF THE DENTITION

The correlations between the retention and elimination of sucrose at d ifferent oral sites and the colonization by mutans streptococci at the same sites were tested in 10 subjects with > 10(5) mutans streptococc i per millilitre of saliva. Paraffin-stimulated saliva was collected a nd plaque samples were taken with a toothpick from all the buccal surf aces except the third molars. One week after the plaque sampling, the sucrose clearance was determined. After a mouth rinse with 10 mi of a 10% sucrose solution, pre-weighed filter paper discs were placed at re presentative buccal sites of the interdental papilla between molars, p remolars and incisors in the upper and lower jaw. The samples were col lected 0.5, 2.5, 5.5, 8.5 and 12.5 min after rinsing. Analysis of the sucrose concentration was made using an enzymatic method. The oral sug ar clearance was slower in the anterior region of the upper jaw than i n the posterior regions and in the central region of the lower jaw. Th e frequency of mutans streptococci decreased towards the anterior teet h, with Streptococcus sobrinus predominating over Streptococcus mutans . A negative correlation was observed in the upper jaw between sugar c learance and retention and the prevalence of mutans streptococci, wher eas the opposite tendency was observed in the lower jaw.