The pH of Dental Plaque in Its Relation to Early Enamel Caries and Dental Plaque Flora in Humans

Dental caries appears to result from the action of multiple, interrelated factors. A companion study dealt with the plaque-flora/caries relationship (van Ruyven et al., 2000). The plaque-pH/caries relationship is the subject of this study. Since both studies involve the same subjects, plaques, and t...

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Published in:Journal of dental research Vol. 79; no. 2; pp. 770 - 777
Main Authors: Lingström, P., Van Ruyven, F.O.J., Van Houte, J., Kent, R.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2000
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects:
Administration, Topical
Analysis of Variance
Bacteria - classification
Bacteria - metabolism
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
caries
Dental Caries - microbiology
Dental Caries - physiopathology
Dental Caries Susceptibility
Dental Enamel - microbiology
Dental Enamel - physiopathology
dental plaque
Dental Plaque - microbiology
Dental Plaque - physiopathology
Dietary Carbohydrates - administration & dosage
Dietary Carbohydrates - pharmacology
Dietary Sucrose - administration & dosage
Dietary Sucrose - pharmacology
Glucose - administration & dosage
Glucose - pharmacology
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Microelectrodes
Mouthwashes
mutans streptococci
Polysaccharides, Bacterial - metabolism
Saliva - secretion
Streptococcus mutans - metabolism
Streptococcus mutans - physiology
Tablets
Time Factors
pH
dental plaque
mutans streptococci
caries
ISSN:0022-0345, 1544-0591
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Dental caries appears to result from the action of multiple, interrelated factors. A companion study dealt with the plaque-flora/caries relationship (van Ruyven et al., 2000). The plaque-pH/caries relationship is the subject of this study. Since both studies involve the same subjects, plaques, and tooth surfaces, data on the examined factors have also been integrated. In vivo plaque pH determinations (microelectrode) were done on buccal sound (s) and "white-spot" (ws) caries surfaces in a selected dentition area in a low-caries (no ws) and higher-caries subject group. The pH response to sugar was evaluated before and after a sugar rinse, a local sugar application, or sucking on a sugary lozenge. pH profiles with sugar rinsing and normal or limited salivary flow conditions, showed progressively decreasing plaque pH values at various time points in the order of: low-caries subjects (s sites), higher-caries subjects (s sites), higher-caries subjects (s + ws sites), and higher-caries subjects (ws sites). The minimum pH values showed the same trend. Analyses of all data indicated only a statistical difference for minimum values for s sites in low-caries subjects vs. ws sites in higher-caries subjects, and for s and ws sites in the latter. Local sugar application and sucking on a sugary lozenge induced smaller pH drops than sugar rinsing; such suboptimal sugar exposure caused a disappearance of the difference between the minimum pH values for s and ws sites observed with sugar rinsing in the higher-caries subjects. Initial plaque pH values were similar regardless of subject or tooth caries status. The values were also not correlated with the plaque levels of strongly iodophilic polysaccharide-storing bacteria. Collectively, both studies indicate that increasing subject caries status is characterized by increasing plaque levels of highly-acid-tolerant, acidogenic bacteria and an increasing plaque-pHlowering potential and support the dynamic relationship between these parameters.
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ISSN:0022-0345
1544-0591
DOI:10.1177/00220345000790021101