The level of cariogenic microlorganisms in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

Sixteen patients with caries‐inacthe Sjögren's syndrome with low parotid salivary flow rates (≤ 0.25 mL/min) and 18 caries‐inactive control subjects with higher salivary flow rates were compared. Mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilll (LB) counts were measured by means of Dentocult® SM strip mutans and LB assays. The group with Sjögren's syndrome displayed higher counts of MS (P = 0.014) and LB (p = 0.003) when compared with controls. The results of this study indicate that patients with caries‐inactive Sjögren's syndrome and low salivary flow may have higher colonization of cariogenic mlcro‐organisms than healthy individuals.