Immunoglobulins and Antibodies in Plaque Fluid and Saliva in Two Populations with Contrasting Levels of Caries

A number of epidemiological studies have investigated relationships between the concentration of immunoglobulins in saliva and serum, antibodies to Streptococcus mutans, and glycosyl transferase, and caries activity (1–12). In many of these studies the differences in caries levels could have been accounted for by dissimilar patterns of sugar intake or, indeed, by the absence of a cariogenic flora. Furthermore, in previous investigations subjects studied were either young adults or were greatly dissimilar in age.