Microbial acid production (Clinpro Cario L-Pop) and dental caries in infants and children

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the Clinpro Cario-L-Pop test as it relates to dental caries rates and severity in infants and children. Method and Materials: The study population was comprised of 771 infants and children who were on average 5.2 years of age (range of 1.5 to 8 years of age). Examiners conducted dental caries clinical examination using established criteria. In addition, lesion severity was determined be measuring its depth. An indicator swab was applied to the tongue dorsum until completely moistened with saliva. The indicator swab was processed according to the manufacturer's instructions, and acid production was assessed with the aid of a color chart. Results: Twenty-three percent of children were caries free, and 7% (n = 50) of participants were categorized as having low production of lactic acid (scores 1 to 3), 17% (n = 135) moderate production of lactic acid (scores 4 to 6), and 76% (n = 586) high production of lactic acid (scores 7 to 9). There was a tendency for moderate and high lactic acid formers to exhibit higher surface-based caries prevalence rates, higher rates for deep dentinal lesions, and increased lesion severity. There was a linear increase of white spot surface-based lesions from low to high lactic acid formers and for initial dentinal lesions. Clinpro Cario-L-Pop test results, when controlling for age and gender, significantly distinguished caries-free participants from those exhibiting any form of decay. Conclusion: These results suggest that Clinpro Cario-L-Pop test was useful in explaining elevated frequency and severity of dental caries in spite of the high levels of decay and of microbial acid production observed in this population. Keywords: children, dental caries, infants, lesion severity, microbial acid production