Irving L. Shklair

Effect of Multiple Dental Floss-SnF2 Treatment on Streptococcus mutans in Interproximal Plaque

The effect of multiple 10% SnF2 and physiologic saline solution applications on the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in human interproximal dental plaque was investigated. The agents were introduced into the test sites with dental floss twice daily on four consecutive days, and samples were taken on nine subsequent occasions during a six-month period. Results indicated that the SnF2-floss treatment significantly reduced S mutans from interproximal tooth surfaces.

Relationship of Streptococcus mutans Carrier Status to the Development of Carious Lesions in Initially Cariesfree Recruits

The prevalence of cariesfree (DMFT = 0) recruits at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois has been estimated to be less than 1.0% (KEENE ET AL, Arch Oral Biol 16: 343-346, 1971). Longitudinal studies (CARROLL, J Dent Res 46: 1004-1047, 1967) have shown that approximately 50% of these initially cariesfree men developed one or more carious lesions during their first year of service. Recently, Shklair and Keene (Arch Oral Biol 19: 199-202, 1974) observed that 56% of cariesfree recruits harbored Streptococcus mutans in their dental plaque when they entered the naval service compared to 94% for a control group. In view of the strong association between S mutans and dental caries in laboratory animals (FITZGERALD and KEYES, JADA 61: 23-33, 1960) and in human populations (CARLSSON, Arch Oral Biol 12: 1657-1658, 1967), it was interesting to determine whether the initial presence or absence of this microorganism was predictive of future caries activity in these initially cariesfree men. The purpose of this report is to present the results of a preliminary one-year study on the relationship of S mutans to the development of carious lesions in a group of 21 initially cariesfree men at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes. Dental caries status was determined by clinical and radiographic examination at the beginning of recruit training and at the end of the study one year later. Samples of dental plaque were obtained just before the two dental examinations at the same sitting. Plaque was removed from the occlusal, interproximal, and buccolingual surfaces of posterior teeth in all four quandrants. The identification and enumeration of S mutans from plaque samples has been described previously (SHKLAIR and KEENE, Arch Oral Biol 19: 199-202, 1974).

Relationship of Streptococcus mutans Biotypes to Dental Caries Prevalence in Saudi Arabian Naval Men

A group of 217 Saudi Arabian naval recruits were examined clinically, radiographically, and microbiologically for the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans. Caries experience was considerably lower than in US recruits of comparable age and showed a significant positive correlation with the prevalence of S mutans in dental plaque samples. The distribution of S mutans biotypes and their relationship to dental caries in the Saudi Arabians were studied.

Lysozyme: its characteristics in human parotid and submaxillo-lingual saliva.

Summary 1. Lysozyme titers in secretions of the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands were found to be substantially higher than those in the parotid gland secretions. 2. Parotid saliva lysozyme titers were variable. Means of the groups tested were considered equivocal. 3. A component of submaxillo-lingual saliva, isolated as the “mucopolysaccharide” group, exerted marked inhibition upon lysozyme activity in parotid saliva. This inhibition was probably competitive in nature. The opinions or assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of the Navy, or the Naval Service at large.Summary1. Lysozyme titers in secretions of the submaxillary and sublingual salivary glands were found to be substantially higher than those in the parotid gland secretions. 2. Parotid saliva lysozy...

Distribution of Streptococcus mutans Biotypes in Five Human Populations

Cultural and biochemical methods were used for the isolation and identification of five different Streptococcus mutans biotypes in samples of dental plaque obtained from human subjects who were living in widely separated geographical areas. Although biotype c was the most prevalent type in each population, distinct geographic differences in biotype distribution were observed.