Mutans Streptococci Oral Colonization in 12‐30‐month‐old Brazilian Children over a One‐year Follow‐up Period

Abstract

Our data suggest that despite early mutans streptococci infection and high exposure to sucrose, mutans streptococci may achieve relatively stable levels after 2 years of age. Heavy colonization by mutans streptococci in an early age was related to an extremely high caries incidence during childhood, while decreasing levels of mutans streptococci can be associated to the decrease in caries activity.