IADR Abstract Archives

Streptococcus mutans Levels in Saliva Versus Dental Plaque in Children

Objectives: This study compares S. mutans levels in saliva versus dental plaque, using a novel validated sampling protocol, and their correlation with the overall dental health status in children; and to evaluate the ex vivo effect of C16G2 against S. mutans.
Methods: Eighty-three 3-to-17-year old children, were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires about their oral health regimen; dentitions were evaluated clinically and radiographically for caries experience. Saliva and site-specific occlusal plaque were collected from each participant. S. mutans levels from each source were assessed and compared using a novel validated protocol combining the traditional culture-based method, morphological identification and S. mutans-specific monoclonal antibody.
Results: Of 83 children (45 girls and 38 boys); mean age was 8.8 years, 74.7% were Hispanic; mean dmft, DMFT and dmft+DMFT score for the overall group was 3.1, 0.4, and 3.5, respectively. Correlation between S. mutans levels from saliva and plaque were positive and significant (r = 0.87, p < 0.01). Mean dmft was higher in 3-6 yo compared to 7-12 yo (p=0.034); mean dmft+DMFT was higher in 3-6 yo and 7-12 yo compared to 13-17yo (p<0.01); no differences in mean DMFT and S. mutans levels from both saliva and plaque among all age groups. Total bacteria from plaque and saliva was comparable among all participants (majority with 108 CFU/ml); More participants had S. mutans levels >105 CFU/ml in plaque than saliva with more participants with 107 CFU/ml plaque S. mutans. Regression analysis showed S. mutans level from plaque has higher association with caries experience than S. mutans level from saliva. C16G2 significantly reduces S. mutans level in high risk samples (p<0.01).
Conclusions: S. mutans levels are comparable in plaque versus saliva sources. Occlusal plaque has greater sensitivity in detecting higher S. mutans level and shows greater positive correlations with caries experience. With ease of isolation, occlusal plaque is a better source for S. mutans isolation as an optimal caries risk predictor.
IADR/AADR/CADR General Session
2015 IADR/AADR/CADR General Session (Boston, Massachusetts)
Boston, Massachusetts
2015
1077
Cariology Research - Detection, Risk Assessment and Others
  • Chaichanasakul, Nini  ( UCLA School of Dentistry , Los Angeles , California , United States )
    • NONE
    Poster Session
    Cariology Research-Risk Assessment
    Thursday, 03/12/2015 , 02:00PM - 03:15PM
    Table 1. Characteristics of Participants (N = 83)
    N (%)
    Gender
    Females 45 54.2
    Males 38 45.8
    Ethnicity
    Hispanics 62 74.7
    Caucasians 11 13.3
    African Americans 3 3.6
    Asians 3 3.6
    Mixed/Others 4 4.8
    Birthplace
    United States 78 94.0
    Foreign born 5 6.0
    Professional dental cleaning frequency
    Less then 1 time per year 10 12.0
    1 time per year 10 12.0
    More than 1 time per year 63 75.9
    Daily tooth brushing frequency
    Less than 1 time per day 2 2.4
    1 time per day 16 19.3
    More than 1 time per day 65 78.3
    Weekly mouth rinse usage frequency
    Do not use 27 32.5
    Less than 7 times a week 52 62.7
    More than 7 times a week 4 4.8
    Weekly flossing frequency
    Do not floss 27 32.5
    Less than 7 times a week 56 67.5
    More than 7 times a week 0 0.0
    Teeth whitening experience
    Yes (professionally) 2 2.4
    No 80 96.4
    No response 1 1.2
    Oral antibiotics usage
    Within 2 weeks 3 3.6
    Within 3 months 3 3.6
    Within 6 months 5 6.0
    More than 6 months 63 75.9
    No response 9 10.8
    S. mutans source (CFU/ml)
    Plaque High risk (>105) 69 83.1
    Low risk (<105) 14 16.9
    Saliva High risk (>105) 59 71.1
    Low risk (<105) 24 28.9
    Mean(SD) Range
    Age 8.8 (3.7) 3-17 yrs
    Caries experience
    dmft 3.1 (3.8) 0-14
    DMFT 0.4 (0.9) 0-4
    dmft+DMFT 3.5 (3.7) 0-14

    Table 2. Caries experience and S. mutans level from plaque and saliva by age; Association* of S. mutans levels with dmft, DMFT, and dmft+DMFT
    Age group
    All ages Group 1 Group 2 Group 3
    Caries experience (Mean) 3-6 ys 7-12 ys 13-17 ys F or t P
    dmft 3.1 5.0 3.0 - t = 2.17 0.034
    DMFT 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.8 F = 2.97 0.057
    dmft+DMFT 3.5 5.1* 3.3** 0.8 F = 8.46 <0.01
    S. mutans Level (CFU/ml) (%) X2 P
    Plaque 3.29 0.193
    High risk (>105) 83.1 86.21 78.95 87.50
    Low risk (<105) 16.9 13.79 21.05 12.50
    Saliva 4.95 0.084
    High risk (>105) 71.1 79.31 65.79 68.75
    Low risk (<105) 28.9 20.69 34.21 31.25
    * p<0.05, **p<0.01, compared to group 3; results of Tukey’s post hoc test


    S. mutans level
    dmft
    DMFT    		 dmft+DMFT
    b R2 P b R2 P b R2 P
    Plaque 0.52 0.04 0.24 0.04 0.03 0.29 0.55 0.05 0.11
    Saliva -0.09 0.07 -0.03

    Table 3. Distribution by response to C16G2, and the relative reduction in S. mutans count after ex vivo C16G2 treatment in total and high risk participants
    Relative Reduction
    ex vivo ex vivo High Risk Total
    MSB saliva    		 Total
    ex vivo    		 High Risk
    MSB saliva    		 High Risk
    ex vivo
    Max responder N (%) N (%) Average (CFU/ml) Average (CFU/ml) Average (CFU/ml) Average (CFU/ml)
    Yes 51 (61) 22 (35) 212564.71 100** 456560.85 100**
    No 32 (38) 17 (27) 532682.80 52340.50NS 4455586.52 26648.45**
    X2 = 0.96
    P = 0.327
    Max responder = Samples with S. mutans count reduced to 100 CFU/ml or undetectable level when treated with 25 μM C16G2 for 4 mins. Relative reduction in SM count were analyzed based on t-test. * p<0.05, **p<0.01, NS = not significant
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