CARIES PREVALENCE IN 2.5-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

The prevalence of caries and gingivitis was determined clinically in 2 .5-year-old children (n = 832) living in the southern suburbs of Stock holm. The occurence of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli was determ ined in samples taken from the tongue and the buffer capacity of the s aliva was measured. The parents answered a structured questionnaire co ncerning their children's dietary habits, oral hygiene, fluoride expos ure and their social and ethnic background. Initial or manifest caries was diagnosed in 11.7 and 6.4% of the subjects, respectively. Seventy -two percent of the total number of caries lesions were localized to t he maxillary incisors. Caries prevalence in children with an immigrant background was significantly higher (p<0.001) than in children withou t. In the multivariate analysis, the variables significantly associate d with caries were: colonization with mutans streptococci (p<0.001), l actobacilli (p<0.01) and children with immigrant background (p<0.01). The study demonstrates an association between early colonization of ca riogenic microflora and an increased risk of developing dental caries in very young children.