The metabolism of the oral flora. 1. The oxygen uptake and acid production by mixed human saliva in the presence and absence of glucose

Abstract

The oxygen uptake of saliva samples showed no obvious relation to dental caries experience, nor did the amt. of lactic acid produced. The greatest production of lactic acid in aerobic circumstances was by a subject who was absolutely free from caries. Acid production per se is evidently not a sufficient cause for the production of dental caries.