Abstract
This brief communication assessed whether there was any relationship between the counts of lactobacilli (LB) and mutans streptococci (MS) in the oral cavity and intestine of obese and eutrophic children with early childhood caries (ECC). Seventy-eight preschoolers were assigned into the following groups: 1. obese children with ECC (OECC), 2. eutrophic children with ECC (EECC), 3. obese caries-free children (OCF), and 4. eutrophic caries-free children (ECF). The diagnosis of obesity and ECC was based on the World Health Organization criteria. Dental plaque and fecal samples were collected to assess the counts of MS and LB using selective media. Data were evaluated by Poisson regression analysis, Wilcoxon test, and Sign test. Microbial indicators of ECC in obese children were MS counts in the intestine [rate ratio (RR): 4.38] and presence of LB in the oral cavity (RR: 2.12). The indicators in eutrophic children were MS levels and the presence of LB, both in the oral cavity (RR: 6.35/1.50) and intestine (RR: 2.35/2.38) (p < 0.05). The comparison between MS levels in the mouth and in the intestine revealed significant differences only in the ECF group (p = 0.04). Regarding LB presence in the mouth vs. in the intestine, except for the OCF group (p = 0.03), no other statistical differences were found. Our preliminary findings highlighted that the levels of MS and the presence of LB in the oral cavity, as well as in the lower gastrointestinal tract were associated with ECC. Moreover, obesity was found to influence this relationship.
Highlights
Childhood caries (ECC) remains highly prevalent in children, especially among those in deprived communities
An increase in the number of bacteria belonging to this phylum has been observed in childhood obesity [13,14,15], a noncommunicable disease associated with microbial dysbiosis [16,17,18] in the same manner as caries [19, 20]
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that obese children are more vulnerable to Early childhood caries (ECC) [21]
Summary
Childhood caries (ECC) remains highly prevalent in children, especially among those in deprived communities. The influence of this chronic multifactorial disease on children up to 71 months of age is significant in the society [1, 2]. An increase in the number of bacteria belonging to this phylum has been observed in childhood obesity [13,14,15], a noncommunicable disease associated with microbial dysbiosis [16,17,18] in the same manner as caries [19, 20]. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that obese children are more vulnerable to ECC [21]
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