Dental caries in relation to oral infections and feeding types among children aged 2-5 years

Abstract

Background: Dental caries is an infectious and transmissible disease that still represents as a significant public health problems in many countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between dental caries and oral infections (tonsillitis and candidiasis) as well as the relation to feeding type. Material and methods: The study sample composed of 22 healthy children aged 2-5 years with full set of primary dentition and had dental caries. The control group composed of 22 caries free children matching the study group in age and gender. An information sheet from the parents was done to all children concerning general health, feeding habits and frequency of oral infections (tonsillitis and oral thrush) during the last year. Children were examined clinically using dmft index, oral microorganisms was sampled and cultured aerobically using blood agar, MacConkey agar, chocolate agar and sabauraud,s dextrose agar. Results: Children with dental caries were mostly bottle fed and showed higher frequency of continuous oral infections. Regarding dental caries there were highly significant relations between caries activity and method of feeding and types of microorganisms found in the oral cavity , also a highly significant relation was found between method of feeding and frequency of oral infections. Children with dental caries had more types of oral microorganisms compared to caries free children Candida, Strep.pyogenes, Strep. viridans, Strep.faecalis, Strep.pneumonia, Staph.aureus, E.coli, Enterobacter ,Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were found in high frequency among caries active children. Conclusion: Types of microorganisms found in the oral cavity was affected by dental caries which in turn affect frequency of infections. Breast feeding was predominant among caries free children and associated with lower rates of oral infections compared with bottle feeding so public should informed about its long term effect on the general health.