Methods: 208 children presenting for well-child visits in pediatricians offices at two medical centers in Boston were sampled. Children underwent a non-invasive dental examination and microbial samples were collected from 3 intra-oral sites (anterior-coronal, posterior-gingival tooth sample, and tongue). The samples were analyzed by DNA probes. Probe species included Eubacterium, Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Selenomonas, Treponema, Fusobacterium, Campylobacter, and Tannerella species.
Results: 50% of the children were male and 21% were <2 years, 39% were 2-3 years, and 40% >3 years. 77% were African-American, 17% Caucasian, 6% Asian, and 12% Hispanic. 14% of the children had Early Childhood Caries (ECC). No species were associated with race/ethnicity or age. Assayed species were detected more frequently from tooth than tongue samples. Species detected most frequently (40-80% positive) from tooth samples were A. gerensceriae, A. naeslundii, A. odontolyticus, N. mucosa, K. oralis, V. parvula and F. nucleatum ss polymorphum. Gingivitis and periodontitis-associated species were detected more frequently from the posterior tooth sample. In these samples, children were mainly colonized by Streptococci (30-60% positive), Actinomyces (60-80%), and Capnocytophaga (50-60%) species. Periodontal pathogens P. gingivalis (17%), T. forsythia (22%), T. denticola (22%), and A. actinomycetemcomitans (20%) were also detected. Species associated (p<0.01) with presence of plaque included P. micros, P. nigrescens, P. loescheii, E. saburreum, F. nuc. ss polymorphum, and S. flueggei.
Conclusions: Many gingivitis and periodontitis associated species can be detected in preschool children, particularly from posterior teeth. Species detection increased with presence of plaque.
Supported by NIH/NIDCR Grants DE-014264 DE-015847, DE-09513 and T32 Training Grant DE-007151.