Differences in periodontal disease-associated microorganisms of subgingival plaque in prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal children.

It is generally accepted that normal prepubertal children do not develop periodontitis, and that the severity of gingivitis in prepubertal children is usually less than that observed in children after puberty. One possible explanation is that the bacteria associated with periodontal diseases cannot become established in great numbers prior to puberty. Studies by Kornman and Loesche and others suggest that levels of black pigmented Bacteroides, especially B.