https://dentistry3000.pitt.edu/ojs/dentistry3000/issue/feed Dentistry 3000 2025-01-15T08:56:23-05:00 Alexandre R. Vieira dentistry3000@mail.pitt.edu Open Journal Systems Dentistry 3000 is a free online dental journal https://dentistry3000.pitt.edu/ojs/dentistry3000/article/view/764 Salivary Caries-Related Microorganisms and Demographics of a Group of Children 2024-10-30T05:05:13-04:00 Alhan Ahmed Qasim dr.alhan_altaai@codental.uobaghdad.edu.iq Muna Saleem Khalaf muna.s.khalaf@codental.uobaghdad.edu.iq Ghada Ibrahim Taha ghada_ibraheem@codental.uobaghdad.edu.iq Zainab Juma Jafar Znbjma1977@codental.uobaghdad.edu.iq <div> <div> <p class="AbstractText"><strong>Objective: </strong>The purpose of this study was to determine the association between caries related microorganisms in children<sup>’</sup>s saliva, such as <em>Streptococcus mutans</em> and <em>lactobacilli</em>, and their demographic factors.</p> <p class="AbstractText"><strong>Methods: </strong>This study involved a sample of 135, both sexes with an age range between 3 and 10 years. Unstimulated saliva was obtained and diluted in normal saline. Saliva was then placed in selective media. Salivaris agar was used for <em>mutans streptococci</em> while Rogosa agar for<em> lactobacilli</em>. After incubation, <em>Streptococcus mutans</em> counting of CFU (colony forming units) with morphology characterization and numbers of CFU per milliliter of saliva for <em>lactobacilli</em>. Demographic factors information was collected using a questionnaire.</p> <p class="AbstractText"><strong>Results</strong>: Both studied salivary microorganisms increased with age. <em>Streptococcus mutans</em> was higher in boys, and associated with breastfeeding, overweight, and not brushing their teeth. L<em>actobacilli</em> were higher in girls, and associated with mothers who were government employee, mother occupation, children who during sleep were not nursed, and with normal weight.</p> <div> <div> <p class="AbstractText"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The present study found an association between salivary <em>Streptococcus mutans</em> and <em>lactobacilli</em> and various demographic variables in a group of children.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> 2025-01-15T00:00:00-05:00 Copyright (c) 2025 Alhan Ahmed Qasim, Muna Saleem Khalaf, Ghada Ibrahim Taha, Zainab Juma Jafar