Abstract
Objective: The present work aimed to correlate the levels of IgA antibodies reactive with Streptococcus mutans antigens in the saliva and/or in the breast milk and the oral health of lactating. Material and methods: Breast milk and whole saliva samples were collected from 29 lactating. The oral health was verified using DMF scores and the volunteers were separated in three groups: 1) low DMF score; 2) high DMF score with active caries and 3) high DMF score without active caries. The IgA antibodies anti-Streptococcus mutans were analyzed in the samples using ELISA technique. Results: The results showed similar levels of IgA antibodies in all groups, both in milk and saliva. No correlation could be confirmed between the levels of IgA in the saliva and in the breast milk with the oral health of lactating studied. Conclusion: The results suggest that, independently of mother’s oral health, the newborn receive the same amounts of anti-Streptococcus mutans IgA by breastfeeding.
Highlights
Streptococcus mutans is considered the main cariogenic microorganism of oral cavity
IgA against S. mutans seems to interfere on the adherence of these bacteria and protect against dental caries [2]
Controversial results regarding the correlation of caries, Streptococcus mutans and anti-S. mutans IgA levels have been reported [5,14,15,16]
Summary
Streptococcus mutans is considered the main cariogenic microorganism of oral cavity. There are different patterns of response against S. mutans antigens in children and adults, which can influence the susceptibility to infection and caries development [2,3,4]. Immunization with different S. mutans antigens can induce high levels of IgG in the serum and IgA antibodies in the saliva, tears, colostrums and breast milk, promoting the reduction in counts and adherence of S. mutans, and the protection against dental caries [5,6,7,8]. The World Oral Health reported that the breast milk could prevent the occurrence of rampant caries in the early childhood [9]. Al Amoudi et al [10] observed that children with early childhood caries and their mothers had higher levels of sIgA when compared with caries free children and their mothers, showing a positive correlation between secretory IgA of mothers and children
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