Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in the elderly

The prevalence of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, salivary flow rate, and the type of dentition were studied in connection with a medical survey of 76-, 81-, and 86-yr-old inhabitants of Helsinki living at home. High bacterial counts were associated with low salivary flow rates. High counts of mutans streptococci (> 10(6) CFU/ml) were found in 68% of wearers of full dentures, as compared with 53% of subjects having natural teeth. High counts of lactobacilli (< 10(6) CFU/ml) were found in 44% of subjects having removable partial dentures and in 39% of subjects having natural teeth. The bacterial counts correlated neither with medicines taken daily nor with diseases among this population.