Dental caries vs Caries-free status
Prevalence (detection frequency) of S. mutans in plaque · Systemically healthy individuals (children and adults, aged 40 months to 50 years) assessed for dental caries
S. mutans prevalence in plaque is significantly higher in caries-active than caries-free individuals (pooled OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.65 to 4.02; I2=16%); ungraded.
1 finding from 1 review
- Streptococcus mutans and Caries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2025 All outcomesCross-sectional · Clinical oral-microbiome studies; saliva and/or supragingival plaque samples; 7 countries; DNA/RNA-based sequencing or microarray · Plaque sampleOR 2.58 [1.65, 4.02]7 studies · 559 participantsGRADE not reported