Salivary Streptococcus mutans and caries prevalence in Brazilian schoolchildren

Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of salivary Streptococcus mutans in Brazilian schoolchildren, and its possible correlation with caries prevalence. A positive correlation between different levels of S. mutans and caries prevalence was observed, individuals with high levels of S. mutans (> 100 colonies) had a DMFS significantly higher than those with low or no detectable S. mutans (0, 1-20, 21-40 colonies).