ABSTRACT
The term "bacterial overgrowth" designates a state of abnomal bacterial colonization of a site such as the pharynx, intestine, or vagina. "Bacterial overgrowth" or "abnormal colonization" should be distinguished from "colonization". Implantation of bacterial strains in dentistry is still a study tool rather than a therapeutic maneuver, but the experience may prove useful in caries prevention in the future. The changes are quite dramatic, especially when bacterial populations are expressed as percentages of total colonies present — a useful terminology in view of the dominance of cfu of α-streptococci as the definitive measure of "normal" flora. The abnormally colonizing organisms are believed to be acquired from the patient's own flora in at least some instances or may be environmentally acquired, especially when nosocomial infections occur in epidemic settings. Diabetics, alcoholics, patients over, or people who have been hospitalized for various types of illness not requiring antibiotics are more frequently colonized by enteric type bacilli than control populations.
