Relationship among microbiological composition and presence of dental plaque, sugar exposure, social factors and different stages of early childhood caries.
OBJECTIVE
This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship among microbiological composition of dental plaque, sugar exposure and social factors, as well as the presence of visible plaque in preschoolers with different stages of early childhood caries.


METHODS
A total of 169 children were clinically examined according to the World Health Organisation criteria + early caries lesions and were divided into three groups: caries-free (n=53), early caries lesions-ECL (n=56), and cavitated caries lesions-CCL (n=60). The presence of clinically visible dental plaque on maxillary incisors was recorded. After that, dental plaque from all buccal and lingual smooth surfaces was collected and the number of colony-forming units of mutans streptococci and total microorganism, as well as the presence of lactobacilli was determined. Daily frequency of meals containing sugar was assessed by a diet chart whereas social factors were evaluated by a questionnaire. The data were analysed by chi-square test followed by multiple logistic regressions (alpha=0.05, confidence interval=95%).


RESULTS
High levels of mutans streptococci (OR=2.28), high total sugar exposure (OR=5.45) and presence of dental plaque (OR=2.60) showed significant association with ECL (p<0.05). High total microorganism count (OR=5.18), high solid sugar exposure (OR=2.50) and the presence of lactobacilli (OR=24.99) revealed significant association with CCL (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the conclusion that dietary sugar experience influenced the microbiological composition of dental plaque. Moreover, the early stage of caries is highly affected by mutans streptococci and visible dental plaque on maxillary incisors whereas cavities are strongly related to lactobacilli and total microorganism.
Parisotto
Thaís Manzano
TM
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas-UNICAMP, Av. Limeira, 901, 13414-903 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Steiner-Oliveira
Carolina
C
Duque
Cristiane
C
Peres
Regina Célia Rocha
RC
Rodrigues
Lidiany Karla Azevedo
LK
Nobre-dos-Santos
Marinês
M
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012923:Social Class; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D019422:Dietary Sucrose