Dental caries vs Caries-free status
Relative abundance of S. mutans in saliva · Systemically healthy individuals (children and adults, aged 40 months to 50 years) assessed for dental caries
The relative abundance of S. mutans in saliva is significantly higher in caries-active than caries-free individuals (pooled SMD 1.48, 95% CI 0.45 to 2.50), but heterogeneity is very high (I2=90%); 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 · Saliva sampleSMD 1.48 [0.45, 2.50]5 studies · 258 participantsGRADE not reported