Resumo

PEREIRA, Jozinete Vieira et al. Correlation of salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans with the conditions of oral hygiene in schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 12. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2011, vol.59, n.4, pp. 571-575. ISSN 1981-8637.

Objective To evaluate the microbiological salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans by correlating them with conditions of oral hygiene by measuring rates of Oral Simplified Hygiene and the plaque index in schoolchildren between 6 and 12 years of age, enrolled in a State school in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba. Methods The sample consisted of 25 students of both genders. An observational study was carried out using comparative, statistical and descriptive procedures, by direct observation through clinical and microbiological analysis. We first measured the simplified oral hygiene index and the plaque index and immediately afterwards the saliva was collected from the schoolchildren in order to perform a count of the colonies of Streptococcus mutans. Results There was a normal oral hygiene and the mean simplified oral hygiene index equal to 1.7 is in line with the average of 1.6 for the plaque index. A quantitative analysis of the number of colony forming units of Streptococcus mutans showed a variation of between 0.1 x104 CFU/ml and 7.7 x 104 CFU/ml. These data correlated with the index card shows a weak correlation in wich only 11.7% of the variability of the plaque indexis explained by the amount of Streptococcus mutans (CFU/ml x 104). Conclusion It was shown, therefore, that the Plaque Index present in these schoolchildren, is not related to the amount of salivary microorganisms of the type Streptococcus mutans (CFU/ml x104).

Palavras-chave : Students.; Oral hygiene.; Streptococcus mutans..