Association of Salivary Microbial Count and Caries Experience in Pre-school Children of Lucknow with Early Childhood Caries (ECC) and respective Mothers - A Case Control Study.

Abstract

Aim: To assess salivary levels of cariogenic bacteria namely Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus acidophilus as well as caries experience in mothers (Group IM) and children with ECC (Group IC) in comparison to caries free children (Group IIC) and their corresponding mothers (Group IIM). Materials and method: Sixty pre-school children (3 - 5 years) and their mothers were included and matching was done. The study group consisted of 30 children with ECC and a control group comprising of 30 caries free children. Children together with their mothers were examined for their caries experience and microbiological assessment of their saliva was carried out. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was done using S.P.S.S version 15.0 software. Statistical tests used were Chi Square and t-test to determine the strength of association between the variables. Results: Streptococcus mutans was significantly higher in children of ECC (Group IC) than caries free children (Group IIC) Conclusion: Significant association was observed in the proportion of children in the ECC group and their mothers with respect to levels of Streptococcus mutans indicating vertical transmission.