Evaluation of Clinical, Biochemical and Microbiological Markers Related to Dental Caries.

Maria D Ferrer,José Luis Sanz,Aránzazu López Lopez,Salvadora Pérez,Maria Melo,Carmen Llena,Alejandro Mira

doi:10.3390/ijerph18116049

Abstract

Our aim was to evaluate clinical, biochemical and microbiological markers related to dental caries in adults. A sample that consisted of 75 volunteers was utilized. The presence of caries and the presence of plaque and gingival indices were determined. Unstimulated salivary flow, pH, lactate, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus dentisani were measured in the participants’ plaque and saliva samples before and after rinsing with a sugar solution. Lactate in plaque was found to be significantly related to age, gender, tooth-brushing frequency, the presence of cavitated caries lesions and plaque and gingival indices (p < 0.05). The levels of S. dentisani in plaque increased significantly with tooth-brushing frequency (p = 0.03). Normalized plaque S. dentisani values and the percentage of S. dentisani were slightly higher in patients with basal lactic acid levels ≤ 50 mg/L. After rinsing with a sugary solution, the percentage of S. mutans levels in plaque were higher in patients with lactic acid levels > 350 mg/L (p = 0.03). Tooth-brushing frequency was the factor which was most associated with oral health. Women reflected better clinical and biochemical parameters than men. Low pH and high lactic acid levels tended to be associated with high caries rates. No association was found between bacteria levels and caries indices.

Highlights

Dental caries is defined as a “biofilm-mediated, diet modulated, multifactorial, non-communicable, dynamic disease resulting in net mineral loss of dental hard tissues”.It is determined by biological, behavioral, psychosocial and environmental factors
Age was found to be significantly correlated with S. dentisani levels in saliva and plaque
Plaque index was observed to be significantly related to S. mutans and S. dentisani levels in saliva and the percentages of

Summary

Introduction

Dental caries is defined as a “biofilm-mediated, diet modulated, multifactorial, non-communicable, dynamic disease resulting in net mineral loss of dental hard tissues”. It is determined by biological, behavioral, psychosocial and environmental factors. The transition from health to disease occurs when there is a disturbance that modifies the conditions of the oral environment and favors the development of a more acid-producing and acid-tolerant microbial community [2]. This potential for tolerance and production of acids cannot be attributed to a single group of microorganisms, but to a bacterial consortium that interacts in a complex manner and that, under certain conditions, would increase in proportion or activity, to the detriment of other bacteria whose metabolic output would be less acidogenic [3].

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