This study tests the hypothesis that caries activity is associated with lower degrees of saturation with respect to enamel mineral in dental plaque fluid following sucrose exposure. Plaque fluids were obtained from caries-free, caries-positive, and caries-active subjects. Samples were collected before and at 3 and 7 min after a sucrose rinse on consecutive weeks and analyzed for organic acids, inorganic ions, pH, calcium activity, and, in selected samples, total protein. After sucrose, pH values were significantly lower in the caries-active group in comparison with the caries-free and caries-positive groups. Total and free calcium concentrations increased with decreasing pH, with free calcium being about one-third of total calcium. The caries-active group exhibited significantly lower degrees of saturation with respect to enamel mineral, after sucrose, and had significantly higher mutans streptococci levels in plaque than did the caries-free samples. Thus, saturation levels in post-sucrose plaque fluids reflect the cariogenic potential of dental plaque.
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