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- Title
The toothpick method in relation to other plaque sampling techniques for evaluating mutans streptococci.
- Authors
Wennerholm, Kerstin; Lindquist, Birgitta; Emilson, Claes-Göran
- Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare the use of toothpicks with other sampling methods for determination of mutans streptococci on different tooth surfaces. In nine persons with >105 CFU per ml saliva of mutans streptococci, plaque samples were taken from 90 buccal and lingual surfaces, 108 occlusal surfaces and 90 approximal surfaces with toothpicks. The prevalence of mutans streptococci on these tooth surfaces was compared with samples taken at four 1-week intervals on the same tooth surfaces with a carver (buccal/lingual surfaces). a needle (occlusal surfaces) or a dental floss (approximal surfaces). Each sample was plated on MSB agar and the presence of mutans streptococci was expressed on a scale varying from 0 to 4. On two of the sampling occasions the amount of plaque, mirrored by total viable counts on blood agar, was also determined. Only for buccal/lingual plaque samples was a difference in total counts between methods noted and then with higher total recoveries obtained after sampling with toothpicks. More surfaces were found to he positive for mutans streptococci when samples were taken with a toothpick than with a carver, needle or floss. On surfaces positive for mutans streptococci the colonization score was higher in samples taken with a toothpick than with a carver or a needle while samples taken with a fioss showed a tendency to higher levels of mutans streptococci than samples collected with a toothpick. The data indicate that the results obtained by using toothpicks for evaluating the prevalence of mutans streptococci n individual tooth surfaces compare favorably with the other methods tested.
- Subjects
DENTAL plaque; TOOTHPICKS; STREPTOCOCCUS; DENTAL floss; BLOOD agar; SAMPLING (Process)
- Publication
European Journal of Oral Sciences, 1995, Vol 103, Issue 1, p36
- ISSN
0909-8836
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1600-0722.1995.tb00008.x