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D Bratthall

Publications and source records attributed to D Bratthall.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Immunoglobulin A antibody activity to mutans streptococci in parotid, submandibular and whole saliva.

Antigen extracts of 9 strains of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus mitis were separated in acrylamide gels by electrophoresis. Strains of the same genotype of mutans streptococci were found to have virtually identical sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis patterns but differed clearly from other genotypes of mutans or with the reference strains S. salivarius and S. mitis. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody activity to antigens of S. mutans, S. sobrinus and S. mitis in the parotid, submandibular and whole saliva of 12 people was detected by Western blotting. IgA antibodies reacted with several of the antigens, and the reaction pattern was unique for each of the individuals. To certain antigens, all the salivas blotted bands if both clear and questionable bands were counted. Significantly more blotted bands were revealed with antigens from S. mutans than S. sobrinus. The results of the 3 different salivas of the same individual had a high degree of resemblance but in a few individuals, more blotted bands were obtained with parotid saliva to S. mutans and S. sobrinus antigens.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Caries, views and perspectives.

This paper describes some advances in caries research in the last century. A tremendous body of knowledge about the disease as well as several possibilities for caries prevention and treatment have been obtained. This knowledge is not used by people in developing countries and certain obstacles for implementation of the procedures under such conditions are identified. Research aimed at finding practical means and methods that can help prevent caries and other oral diseases for the majority of the world's population must be intensified.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of mutans streptococci and dental caries in Pakistani children.

The caries status of two hundred and eighteen 12 year old school children from four schools of Karachi and Lahore was determined through a WHO pathfinder survey. In addition, the levels of mutans streptococci in the sample were estimated in order to define the proportion of children with high and low mutans levels. A mean DMFT of 1.82 (1.67-0.03-0.12), for decayed and filled teeth respectively; 42% were caries free. Four mutans streptococci; 22% had mutans class 0, 22% class 1, 31% class 2 and 25% class 3. The mean DMFT was respectively, 1.0 + 1.23, 0.98 + 1.52, 2.03 + 2.36 and 3.04 + 3.08. The difference was statistically significant. Twenty four children had 5 or more DMF all except two of them, belonging to mutans classes 2 or 3.

Child↗
PubMed1992

WHO pathfinder caries survey in Beijing extended with data for prevalence of mutans streptococci.

A pathfinder caries survey was carried out in Beijing, People's Republic of China, using WHO standard methodologies, in order to estimate the trend by comparing the results with the 1981 caries survey, performed in the same area. Simultaneously, the levels of mutans streptococci in the group were estimated in order to define the proportion of children with high and low mutans levels. Twelve-year-old children were randomly selected from schools in five districts within the city limits. Examinations for caries were performed according to 'WHO Oral Health Surveys' by two calibrated examiners. A total of 178 children were examined for caries and 156 of them were randomly selected for saliva sampling of mutans streptococci, using the 'Strip mutans' method. The number of colonies adhering to the strips were compared with a chart, supplied by the manufacturer, and given a score between 0 and 3, indicating low to very high saliva mutans counts, respectively. The results showed a mean DMFT of 1.87 (1.61-0.06-0.20, for decayed, missing and filled teeth respectively); 66.3 per cent of the children were affected. Fourteen per cent had mutans class 0, 28 per cent class 1, 35 per cent class 2 and 23 per cent class 3. The mean DFT, for each mutans class was 0.82, 1.48, 2.09 and 2.69, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.0015). In the lowest mutans class, 50 per cent had caries and the mean number of teeth requiring conservative care was 0.68. For the high mutans group, the corresponding values were 72 per cent and 2.11 teeth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗
PubMed1991

Intraindividual variations in counts of mutans streptococci measured by "Strip mutans" method.

Intraindividual variations in the mutans streptococci measured by Strip mutans, in a 1-day and a 5-day period, as well as the effect of toothbrushing, were investigated. 30 subjects participated, and their levels of salivary mutans were estimated by a scale containing four steps. With the exception of three comparisons, time intervals of different lengths did not cause a deviation of more than one step. Comparisons made before and after toothbrushing yielded the same score in 22 cases, whereas two subjects showed a discrepancy of two steps. Clearly, in a short-term perspective, variations can certainly be found, but more pronounced discrepancies are rare.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Mutans streptococci -dental, oral and global aspects.

The evaluation of the levels of mutans streptococci have been used for many years in some countries, in clinical work to monitor patients during treatment of dental caries, based on the observations that teeth, and patients, with elevated levels of mutans streptococci are at higher risk for caries. Other studies have focussed on attempts to select high caries risk groups based on salivary levels. Several methods to estimate the bacteria have been developed, among them being the "Spatula method" and the more recent "Strip mutans" method. Both methods are based on observations made in studies aimed at determining factors of importance for the transfer of these bacteria between persons. This paper gives a background to saliva sampling for mutans streptococci and describes some studies that have evaluated the role of these bacteria for caries. Such background information is important for the correct use of bacterial tests in the clinic and for interpretation of the results.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed1990

Mutans streptococci in saliva and dental caries in children living in a high and a low fluoride area.

The aim of this study was to obtain information about the quantitative distribution of salivary mutans streptococci and the relation to dental caries in children with contrasting levels of natural water fluoride. A total of 698 schoolchildren aged 12 yr were selected from areas with high (1.2 ppm) or low (0.1 ppm) fluoride concentration in the drinking water. They were all examined for the presence and number of mutans streptococci in saliva by a specially prepared plastic strip, the "Strip mutans" method, cultivated in a selective broth. Data on the caries experience were obtained from the dental records and from bite-wing radiographs. Mutans streptococci were identified in 82% of all children with no difference between the two areas. The number of mutans streptococci was however significantly (p less than 0.05) lower among the children from the high fluoride area than those from the low fluoride area. Children with no detectable or low levels (0-10 CFU) of mutans streptococci had less caries experience than children with moderate or high levels (11- greater than 500 CFU) in both areas investigated.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Sample, count, identify, and store the mutans streptococci.

According to a new method for sampling mutans streptococci, "Strip mutans", a plastic strip is contaminated by human saliva and incubated in a selective broth. After growth the strip with adherent colonies may be dried and stored. We wanted to know for how long a time bacteria in the colonies were viable if the strips were stored under different conditions. The survival time is important if the bacteria need to be subjected to further analyses. The results showed that the viability of the bacteria after the incubation period was at least 1 yr when the strips were stored frozen or frozen in glycerine. Stored dried in room temperature the survival was about 8 wk. A second part of the study aimed at identifying the colonies on strips obtained from different countries. Dried strips were sent air mail to our laboratory for biochemical and immunological analyses and the results showed that serotype/biotype c/e/f of S. mutans were most frequent but d/g S. sobrinus was also present in the samples, which came from Brazil, Greece, and Sweden. Three colonies of 213 on these strips did not grow, possibly indicating non-mutans bacteria.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Mutans streptococci, oral hygiene, and caries in an adult Swedish population.

The objective of the present study was to describe the distribution of salivary mutans streptococci in a randomly selected adult population and to relate the distribution to the prevalence of caries. The aim was also to study the association between caries and different levels of oral hygiene (OH). The results were based on the assessment of caries, dental plaque, and concentration of salivary mutans streptococci in 914 subjects who represented 95% of an age- and gender-stratified population sample of 967 individuals, randomly selected from the total adult population living in Alvsborg County, Sweden. The results showed that the distribution of mutans streptococci among dentate adults not wearing any kind of removable denture(s) was similar to that previously reported from studies on Swedish schoolchildren, while a comparably higher proportion of subjects with high levels of mutans streptococci was found among the dentate individuals wearing some kind of removable denture(s). Even higher proportions were found among edentulous individuals with complete denture(s). There was a correlation between mutans streptococci concentration in saliva and caries. The subjects with lower concentrations showed a significantly lower mean number of decayed surfaces, compared with the individuals with higher concentrations of mutans streptococci in their saliva. The median OH standard was lower in the older age groups, and there was a higher ratio of decayed surfaces per remaining tooth in those age groups, in comparison with the younger groups. However, for individuals without mutans streptococci, no relation between OH standard and caries could be found and, regardless of OH standard, higher numbers of decayed surfaces were found with an increasing concentration of mutans streptococci in saliva.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Reasons for replacement of Class II amalgam restorations in private practice.

In a series of postgraduate courses in Cariology for dentists in the period 1980-84, a total of 102 private practitioners participated in a study of the reasons for replacing amalgam restorations. Twelve reasons were specified on a form and the dentist was asked to mark one or more of them for each filling replaced. The total number of fillings evaluated was 2033. In 87.9% of the restorations only one reason was given for the replacement; two, three, four and five reasons were registered in 10.5, 1.1, 0.4 and 0.1%, respectively. The six most frequent reasons were: "secondary caries" (34.0%), "fracture of the filling" (15.5%), "primary caries" (12.1%), "fracture of the tooth" (10.2%), "marginal ditching" (7.2%), and "caries under the filling" (5.6%). The restorations replaced for a combination of two reasons (N = 213) were studied separately. The three most frequent combinations were: "secondary caries + fracture of the filling" (17.8%), "secondary caries + marginal ditching" (14.1%), and "secondary caries + caries under the filling" (11.3%). - Thus, the main conclusion from this study is that approximately half of the replacements of class II amalgam restorations were occasioned by caries disease.

Dental Amalgam↗
PubMed1989

Simplified method to estimate salivary buffer capacity.

A new and simplified method to estimate the salivary buffer capacity was tested. The method, Dentobuff Strip, consists of a pH indicator paper that has been impregnated with acid. A small volume of saliva is added to the strip and after 5 min the color of the strip is compared with a chart. The colors have been chosen to indicate low, medium, or good buffer capacity. The buffer capacity of stimulated saliva samples from 62 subjects was measured with the new method and compared with two commonly used clinical methods, Dentobuff, and an electrometric method. The three methods correlated well, and patients with a low salivary buffer capacity (final pH less than or equal to 4), according to the electrometric method, were readily identified with the new Dentobuff Strip method.

Buffers↗
PubMed1989

A new method for the estimation of mutans streptococci in human saliva.

A new method for quantitating the numbers of mutans streptococci in saliva--the "Strip mutans" test--was developed. It includes the following steps: A prepared plastic spatula is contaminated with saliva, transferred to a selective broth, incubated for two days, and dried. A predetermined area is counted or evaluated for CFUs of mutans streptococci. The medium contains sucrose to promote adhesion of mutans streptococci to the strip. Bacitracin, added just before use, is the basis for the selectivity. Results with the new medium were compared with those from the "spatula technique" and with those from conventional saliva sampling with dilution. The studies involved 302 and 60 schoolchildren, respectively. There was a highly significant correlation between the results from the new method and those from conventional methods. The strip mutans test is easy to used and has long shelf-life, and the spatulas with adherent colonies can be saved for future comparisons.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Oral health status in an adult Swedish population. Prevalence of caries. A cross-sectional epidemiological study in the Northern Alvsborg county.

The aim of the present epidemiological study was to describe prevalence, distribution and type of caries in an adult Swedish population. After stratification with respect to age (20-29, 30-39,.....greater than 79 years of age), sex and location of residence (city, village, rural region), a random sample of 967 individuals was drawn (0.75% of the total adult population greater than 19 years). The results were based on radiographic and clinical examination of 919 individuals, of whom 750 were dentate (participation rate: 95%). The examinations were carried out from November 1983 to December 1984. The caries registrations distinguished between enamel caries and root caries, subdivided into manifest and initial caries. Despite lower number of remaining teeth in older ages, the mean number of surfaces with manifest caries (DS) was relatively even in all age groups (4.1-5.1 DS), except for the youngest age group ("20-29 years": mean 3.1 DS). When the number of decayed teeth (DT) were expressed as a percentage of remaining teeth, the ratio (%) was markedly higher in the older age groups than in the younger age groups. Initial caries was more frequent in the younger age groups. In the age groups above forty years the majority of the observed carious lesions involved root surfaces. In the oldest age group ("greater than 79 years of age"), 95% of the lesions were root caries. The mean number of filled surfaces (FS) was higher among women than men, while untreated caries (DS) showed a tendency of higher values for men. No significant differences in caries prevalence related to location of residence could be demonstrated.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Quality evaluation of anterior restorations in private practice.

As part of a series of postgraduate courses in Cariology for dentists, a section designed to stimulate the interest in quality evaluation of fillings was included. Thus, 75 private practitioners were asked to evaluate a number of anterior restorations on their own patients. The method used was a modification of the California Dental Association (CDA) quality evaluation system. By use of a four-graded scale the following five properties were evaluated: (1) color of the filling, (2) color of the margin, (3) surface structure and anatomic form, (4) marginal integrity, and (5) caries. The criteria were related to practical-clinical measurements. Altogether 1147 fillings were assessed, most of them 2-4 years old (n = 949). The results showed that 25 different brands had been used, of which 4 composites constituted 68% of all fillings. With the exception for one composite material, no obvious difference in the quality evaluation between the materials was observed. Of the 2-4 year old fillings, approximately every fourth was rated as "not acceptable", i.e. with need for clinical treatment "soon" or "within reasonable time". Our impression was that the system used in this study is suitable for an assessment of the quality of anterior fillings in a private practice and that it should stimulate dentists to a quality thinking in dentistry in general.

Color↗
PubMed1988

N-acetylcysteine added to saliva does not affect IgA concentration or the agglutination of Streptococcus mutans in vitro.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or placebo were mixed with parotid or whole saliva to a final concentration of 0.004-10 mg/ml saliva. Placebo and NAC-containing parotid saliva had the same bacterial agglutinating capacity for 4 strains of Streptococcus mutans. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentration in whole saliva, using ELISA and single radial immunodiffusion assays, did not reveal any differences between NAC and placebo-treated samples. NAC did not affect the immunoelectrophoretic pattern of IgA.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMed1988

Effect of a preventive program on dental caries and mutans streptococci in Polish schoolchildren.

The effect of a preventive program was studied in Polish schoolchildren. The study was carried out in a group of 133 children, aged 10-12 yr, divided into a test and a control group. Children in the test group were initially treated with temporary restorations and were then given oral health education and preventive treatment by a specially trained chairside assistant. The preventive treatment included prophylaxis and topical fluoride treatment and was carried out at least 10 times a year. The mean 3-yr DFS increment was 1.7 in the test and 10.9 in the control group. The salivary counts of mutans streptococci were similar in test and control group at baseline and after 1 and 2 yr. At the examination after 3 yr, a difference was established between the two groups.

Child↗
PubMed1987

Oral health and factors related to oral health in Polish schoolchildren.

The oral health and factors related to oral health were surveyed in 168 schoolchildren, aged 10-12 years, attending one school in Warsaw. The children were examined for dental caries and gingival status, dental plaque and salivary Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts. An interview on dietary habits and use of fluoridated toothpaste was also performed. The results showed a mean DMFT of 4.7 in the sample. Gingival Index 1 and Plaque Index 3 were median scores for the majority of the children. S. mutans was demonstrated in 94% of the children and high numbers were found in 15%. Lactobacillus sp. were present in all examined children, with high counts in 56% of the subjects. The interview revealed that most of the children eat five or six times per day and consume candies or cakes each day. Fluoridated toothpaste was not used regularly by any of the children. In conclusion this study shows a high prevalence of dental disease and an unfavorable combination of etiologic factors.

Child↗