Abstract
Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are strongly associated with dental caries. However, the relationship between oral streptococci and dental caries in children with Down syndrome is not well characterized. Objective To assess and compare dental caries experience and salivary S. mutans, S. sobrinus, and streptococci counts between groups of Down syndrome and non-Down syndrome children and adolescents.Material and Methods This study included a sample of 30 Down syndrome children and adolescents (G-DS) and 30 age- and sex-matched non-Down syndrome subjects (G-ND). Dental caries experience was estimated by the number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth in the primary dentition and the permanent dentition. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from all participants. The fluorescence in situ hybridization technique was used to identify the presence and counts of the bacteria. The statistical analysis included chi-square, Student’s t-test and Spearman’s correlation.Results The G-DS exhibited a significantly higher caries-free rate (p<0.001) and a lower S. mutans salivary density (p<0.001). No significant differences were found in the salivary densities of S. sobrinus or streptococci between the groups (p=0.09 and p=0.21, respectively). The salivary S. mutans or S. sobrinus densities were not associated with dental caries experience in neither group.Conclusion The reduced dental caries experience observed in this group of Down syndrome children and adolescents cannot be attributed to lower salivary S. mutans densities, as determined with the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique.
Highlights
Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder FDXVHGE\DWULVRP\RIFKURPRVRPHWKDWZDV¿UVW described in 1866 by John Longden Hayden Down
Numerous oral abnormalities have been described in DS individuals including malformations of the small palate and maxilla, mouth breathing resulting in GU\ PRXWK ¿VVXUHG WRQJXH DQG OLSV GHOD\HG WRRWK eruption, dental agenesis, low incidence of dental caries, high incidence of periodontal diseases, high incidence of mucosal ulcers, candidiasis, and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, compared with healthy individuals
The total sample included 60 children and adolescents between 3 and 12 years of age who resided in the city of Juiz de Fora
Summary
Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder FDXVHGE\DWULVRP\RIFKURPRVRPHWKDWZDV¿UVW described in 1866 by John Longden Hayden Down. The main clinical characteristics of DS include mental retardation and cardiovascular, haematopoietic, musculoskeletal, nervous system, and immunological system anomalies. These effects, those in the immune system, result in an increased susceptibility to infection[8,12,25]. Numerous oral abnormalities have been described in DS individuals including malformations of the small palate and maxilla, mouth breathing resulting in GU\ PRXWK ¿VVXUHG WRQJXH DQG OLSV GHOD\HG WRRWK eruption, dental agenesis, low incidence of dental caries, high incidence of periodontal diseases, high incidence of mucosal ulcers, candidiasis, and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis, compared with healthy individuals. Patients with DS demonstrate macrologlossia, imbalanced occlusal and soft tissues forces, open bite, impaired chewing and consequent GLI¿FXOW\LQVHOIFOHDQVLQJRIWHHWK5,12,25
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
