An enzymological profile of the production of lactic acid in caries-associated plaque and in plaque formed on sound surfaces of deciduous teeth.

Specific activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) dependency in the small amount of plaque formed on deciduous teeth were determined and compared between those from carious lesions and from sound surfaces. Although the caries-associated plaque showed a higher production of lactic acid than the plaque formed on sound surfaces, it occurred only when sufficient FBP was present. The proportion of activity of FBP-dependent LDH relative to that of total LDH varied much more in the caries-associated plaque than in the plaque formed on sound surfaces. Hence, the varying activity of FBP-dependent LDH might be a distinguishing feature of caries-associated plaque compared with plaque formed on sound surfaces.