A Method for Estimating the Bacterial Content of the Mouth by Direct Count

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Abstract
This method is similar to that used by Breed and Brew for making direct bacterial counts of milk with the exception that an atomizer was employed which continually sprayed the mouth washings. Dilute NaOH was used to dissolve mucin. By means of the spraying and NaOH a more even distribution of bacteria was obtained in smears. The average difference in counts made by this method and the usual direct count method was 36%. Counts taken at different times of the day and on different days varied greatly in the same individual.