Conclusion There is a shortage of high quality studies
using the optimum study design, i.e. a longitudinal study. The evidence suggests that children are most likely to develop caries
if Streptococcus Mutans is acquired at an early age, although this may be partly compensated by other factors such as good oral
hygiene and a non- cariogenic diet. Diet and oral hygiene may interact so that if there is a balance of ‘good’ habits by way of
maintaining good plaque control and ‘bad’ habits by way of having a cariogenic diet, the development of caries may be controlled.