INDIVIDUAL CONSTANCY OF NUMBERS AMONG THE ORAL FLORA

Abstract
Twenty saliva samples from each of 10 subjects were analyzed for Streptococcus salivarius. genus Streptococcus and total aerobic flora. The grand means for the respective microorganisms were 5 million, 10 million and 25 million colonies. Numbers and proportions varied over wide ranges, yet were highly characteristic for each subject. Also, the 3 microbial categories were positively related, i.e., fluctuated together and in proportion. From the statistical results it was inferred that the interactions among the oral microflora are powerfully influenced by properties of the individual host.