Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : Growth control of anaerobes in the oral cavity, is secured--among other means--by: 1) phagocytosis of opsonized bacteria; 2) synthesis of hypothiocyanite by the salivary peroxidase system. The former may be inhibited by bacterial acid byproducts. As for the salivary hypothiocyanite, it proved itself able of hindering in vitro the growth of bacterial strains known as customary periodontal pathogens. Its possible effectiveness in vivo remains however hypothetical in the case of deep gingival pockets according to the poor diffusion there of salivary components.