Prevention of dental caries by elimination of the mutans streptococci

The mutans streptococci (MS) have been demonstrating to be implicated as the primary causative bacteria of dental caries. However, no clinical manual for eliminating MS from the oral flora was provided. Objectives: At the present study, we have tried to make up a clinical manual for eliminating MS by using Dental Drug Delivery System (3DS). Methods: Before the bactericidal agent application, PMTC was carried out on each subject to remove the biofilms on the tooth surfaces. After PMTC, the bactericidal agent was applied to the teeth by custom trays. Within ten days, the same procedure was repeated. Results: Application of the bactericidal agent by using 3DS to the adults resulted in the elimination of detectable MS from the saliva of them. Extensive examination made free of MS on the basis of saliva examination revealed no detectable MS in their dental plaque. No serious adverse reactions were observed in any of the treated subjects. The results indicate that it is possible to eliminate MS from human in a safe and effective manner by this clinical manual. Furthermore, we adopted that the standard value of the risk of subjects were made to be classified as low level if the proportion of MS / total streptococci is less than 0.2% and the salivary MS count is less than 10,000 CFU/ml. Conclusion: We have made up a clinical manual and the standard value of the risk of subjects for eliminating MS by using 3DS.