Dental Calculus

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Abstract
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether some immunizing principle against caries could not be attributable to calculus biosis, and not to its mineral content. Direct smears of crushed calculus showed the predominance of gram-positive filaments. Stained smears from the undersurface of calculus showed almost no micro-organisms. 108 calculi flakes from 23 patients tested in solid and fluid media were surrounded by confluent growths of 1-3 mm. in diam., predominantly Gram-negative. Almost no proteolytic bacteria could be cultivated. Also the germination of wheat grains in a petri dish was affected by the presence of calculus. The caries preventive principle of calculus may be derived from some factors unfavorable to a Gram-positive growth. Calculus seems to possess some weak antibiotic properties which may be due to antagonistic products of bacterial metabolism or to a concn. of inhibitory substances derived from the saliva.

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