Patent ID: 8765400

Claim:
A method for the semi-quantitative determination of cariogenic bacteria in a plaque or saliva sample, in which (a) the microorganisms contained in a plaque or saliva sample are optionally concentrated; (b) the microorganisms are brought into contact with a carbon source which is fermented to acid by the cariogenic bacteria; (c) the microorganisms and the carbon source are incubated under conditions which facilitate selective acid formation by the cariogenic bacteria; (d) the pH is determined at least once within a period of 12 hours after addition of the carbon source; wherein the semi-quantitative determination of the cariogenic bacteria in the sample is performed by comparing the pH determined in step (d) with at least one reference value, and wherein the cariogenic bacteria are Streptococcus mutans and wherein the carbon source is maltotriose.