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Quantitative analysis of S. mutans, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium found in initial and mature plaques in Thai children with early childhood caries

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Abstract

Aims

To quantify Streptococcus mutans, lactobacillus and bifidobacterium in initial and mature plaque collected from children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) and caries-free (CF) groups and to analyse the association between these bacteria and caries-related factors in each group.

Study design

A collection of 120 initial and overnight supra-gingival plaques were collected from Thai children aged 2–5 years-old (S-ECC = 60, CF = 60). Plaque, gingival indices and decayed, missing, filled tooth (dmft) scores were recorded. A questionnaire was used to assess the parents’ attitudes and behaviour regarding the child’s oral hygiene care and diet.

Methods

After DNA extraction, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using fluorescent dye (SYBR green) was performed.

Results

Levels of Streptococcus mutans, lactobacillus and bifidobacterium in both initial and mature plaques of S-ECC were significantly higher than those from the caries-free group (p < 0.05). The ratio of S. mutans, lactobacillus, and bifidobacterium to the total bacteria in S-ECC was significantly higher than in the caries-free group (p < 0.05). Levels of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium in both plaques significantly correlated with dmft scores and the plaque index, while S. mutans levels only correlated with dmft scores (p < 0.05). Factors that were significantly associated with caries were parents’s education, duration of bottle feeding, especially during sleeping and the frequency of consuming cariogenic food between meals (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Levels of S. mutans, lactobacillus, bifidobacterium and the ratio of these bacteria to total bacteria in both initial and mature plaques were significantly higher in children with S-ECC and related to dmft scores, oral hygiene and dietary habits.

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Correspondence to K. Mitrakul.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Mitrakul, K., Chanvitan, S., Jeamset, A. et al. Quantitative analysis of S. mutans, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium found in initial and mature plaques in Thai children with early childhood caries. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 18, 251–261 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-017-0295-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-017-0295-7

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