ISSN:
1600-0528
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Adults (35–45 yr old) and children (5 and 12 yr old) recently arrived in Israel from rural areas in Ethiopia were examined. Caries levels were low: e.g. DMFT = 0.31 among 12-yr-olds olds, and 1.27 amongst adults. The 5-yr-olds were 86.8% caries-free, while 12-yr-olds were 81.8% and adults 54% caries-Tree respectively. According to interview data, the diet in Ethiopia had been based on local agricultural products and was almost sugar-free. The mean total count of salivary bacteria, as determined on blood agar, was 3.4 × 108; mean count of Streptococcus viridans. on mitis salivarius, was 6.7 × 107; and mean count of S. mutans. as determined on mitis salivarius with bacitracin, was 1.7 × 107. These levels were all high and were not significantly different from a control group of 20 Israelis. The mean number of lactobacilli, on Rogosa agar, was 2.75 × 104, which was significantly higher than among the controls (3.6 × 103). Salivary pH levels were generally similar between the Ethiopian group and the controls. Salivary How was significantly higher for the Ethiopians (1.93 ml/min) than for controls (1.16 ml/min). Low levels of caries in this population can be attributed to an almost sugar-free diet and high salivary flow, but not to the composition of oral microflora.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0528.1992.tb00694.x
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