[Dental fluorosis: quantification of Streptococcus mutans in school children from Mamiña, Chile. A longitudinal study].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

High fluorine concentrations in drinking water are associated with a decrease in the amount of salivary S mutants. Taking into account that clinical dental fluorosis can appear with 1.5 ppm of fluorine in the drinking water, fluorine concentrations in Mamiña is 2.4 ppm.

AIM:

To quantify salivary S mutans in school age children from Mamiña, a zone with a high fluorine content in the drinking water, during one year.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

During 1997 and 1998, dental health was assessed and salivary samples were obtained from 51 children (27 male) aged 10 +/- 2 years to quantify S mutans.

RESULTS:

Most children studied had more than 10(5) salivary S mutans colony forming units. No changes in the rates of infection or dental health characteristics were observed during the observation year.

CONCLUSIONS:

High fluorine content in the drinking water did not have an effect on salivary S mutans infection in this population.

• Authors: A Linossier, P Carvajal, E Donoso, M Orrego
• Journal: Revista medica de Chile (Rev Med Chil) Vol. 127 Issue 12 Pg. 1462-8 (Dec 1999) ISSN: 0034-9887 [Print] Chile
• Vernacular Title: Fluorosis dental: recuento de Streptococcus mutans en escolares provenientes de la Primera Región de Chile. Estudio longitudinal.
• PMID: 10835753 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Child
• Chile
• Colony Count, Microbial
• Female
• Fluorosis, Dental (microbiology)
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Oral Health
• Saliva (microbiology)
• Streptococcus mutans (drug effects, isolation & purification)