Number Of Erupted Teeth Research Articles

Eruption of first permanent molar among a group of Iraqi children in relation to nutritional status

Background/Aim: The timing of a tooth's eruption can be affected by a variety of factors. The nutritional status has an impact on the development of a child's body. The purpose of the study was to analyse the number of children aged 6 to 9 in an Iraqi Arab population who had erupted permanent first molars and to examine how nutritional status affected the timing and level of emergence. Methods: A total of 330 boys and girls, in first grade elementary school, made up the sample. First molars that had erupted were noted, along with the level of the eruption. Each child's nutritional status was evaluated by recording their height and weight and body mass index (BMI) value was compared to the 2007 WHO reference. Results: Girls had higher number of erupted molars than boys did and a correlation between the number of erupted teeth and nutritional condition existed, with a higher mean number of erupted molars in obese children. Conclusion: BMI had an impact on the timing of the eruption of permanent first molars, a result that was primarily observed in females.

RELATIONS BETWEEN ERUPTION OF PERMANENT TEETH AND BODY MASS INDEX IN BULGARIAN CHILDREN

Introduction: Obesity and dental caries are diseases that have a strong social impact. Being overweight and obesity during childhood are a risk factor for cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal diseases and other health problems in both children and adults. Aim: The aim of the study is to estimate the relationship between tooth eruption, tooth pathology and BMI in 7-8 year old Bulgarian children. Methods and Material: The present study observed 187 individuals. Oral and dental status were examined. The height was measured in a standing position with an anthropometer, weight was measured with an electric scale to the nearest 0.1 kg, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The data was analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. The differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. Results: A positive relation is found between the eruption of teeth and BMI. A statistically significant association is found between BMI and dental caries on the upper left first molar (26). Conclusion: A high percentage of the examined children were overweight and obese. A positive but low correlation between BMI, tooth eruption and dental caries is established. With the increase of the BMI, the number of erupted teeth also increases. Girls had more erupted teeth compared with boys. The caries of the first molar (26) correlate positively with the nutritional status of the 7-8 year old children studied.

The number of erupted teeth as a risk factor for dental caries in eighteen-month-old children: a cross‑sectional study

BackgroundDental caries is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, affecting lifelong as well as children. Therefore, it is important to clarify factors related to early childhood caries (ECC) in a younger population in terms of caries prevention. However, the prevalence of ECC is low in developed countries in the twenty-first century and a large-scale survey is needed to clarify the risk factors. Furthermore, earlier tooth eruption is not taken into consideration in most studies of ECC, even though it may be a factor of ECC. The present study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of dental caries in children aged 18 months in a core city of Japan.MethodsFindings from a total of 7351 children aged 18 months were analyzed. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight, as well as an oral examination and a microbiological caries-risk test, were performed. Additionally, a structured interview sheet was provided to the parents or guardians. Findings of dental caries at 18 months of age were evaluated using a logistic regression model.ResultsOf the enrolled children, 1.2% had experienced dental caries. Multivariable logistic regression analysis results indicated a significant association with dental caries at 18 months of age for the following factors: second child (OR = 1.78; 95% CI:1.08–2.93, P < 0.05), third and later child (OR = 2.08; 95% CI:1.12–3.89, P < 0.05), 12 or fewer erupted teeth (OR = 0.47; 95% CI:0.24–0.96, P < 0.05), 17 or more erupted teeth (OR = 4.37; 95% CI:1.63–11.7, P < 0.01), Cariostat score (+ + +) (OR = 3.99; 95% CI:1.29–12.31, P < 0.05), daily eating before bed (OR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.55–4.45, P < 0.001), three or more snacks per day (OR = 2.03; 95% CI:1.15–3.58, P < 0.05), and breastfeeding (OR = 3.30; 95% CI:2.00–5.44, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThese results suggest that the number of erupted teeth, as well as birth order, eating habits, and breastfeeding, are significant factors in dental caries occurrence at 18 months of age.

Small for gestational age and early childhood caries: the BRISA cohort study

This study tests the hypothesis that children 12–30 months born small for gestational age (SGA) aged are more susceptible to severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). We used data on 865 children aged 12–30 months from a prospective cohort study conducted in a city in the northeast of Brazil. The study outcome was S-ECC, defined based on the proportion of decayed tooth surfaces (cavitated or not). The main exposure variable was SGA, defined according to the Kramer criterion and the INTERGROWTH-21st standard. Direct (SGA → S-ECC) and indirect effects were estimated using structural equation modeling, calculating standardized factor loadings (SFL) and P-values (alpha = 5%). The final models showed a good fit. SGA influenced S-ECC in the direct and indirect paths. In the group of SGA children with 12 or more erupted teeth defined according to the Kramer criterion, the direct effect was positive (SFL = 0.163; P = 0.019); while among all SGA children defined according to the INTERGROWTH-21st standard, the direct effect was negative (SFL = − 0.711; P < 0.001). Age and number of erupted teeth may influence the occurrence of S-ECC in SGA children, as the number of teeth affects the time of exposure to disease risk factors.

Number of erupted teeth at the age of 12 and 24 months

Aim: To verify the validity of maternal reports on the number of deciduous teeth erupted in their children. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed with children enrolled in a Birth Cohort at the age of 12 months in the first stage and 24 months in the second stage. At both stages, children were clinically examined, and mothers reported the number of teeth of their children. Comparison between groups was performed using the Mann-Whitney non-paired Wilcoxon test. Level of agreement between two methods were estimated by the Observed Agreement, Weighted Kappa and Intraclass Correlation coefficients. Results: A total of 125 children were examined in the first stage, with mean number of reported teeth of 6.2. In the second stage, 149 children were examined, with mean number of reported teeth of 15.9. High level of agreement, kappa values and intraclass correlation coefficients were observed for both arches in both periods (p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: Maternal report on the number of teeth erupted in children was reliable and valid. Thus, it seems to be a useful instrument for collecting data in population-based epidemiological studies targeting young children.

Evaluation of the eruption of permanent teeth and their association with malocclusion.

ObjectivesThis study was done to determine the timing of eruption of permanent teeth by sex and the number of permanent teeth erupted at different ages and to assess its association with malocclusion.Material and MethodsThe sample for this study consisted of 633 healthy subjects (317 boys and 316 girls) aged between 5.0 and 15.0 years. The subjects were divided into subgroups considering an age interval of 1 year.ResultsThe mean eruption times were lower for girls compared with boys except for the maxillary and mandibular second premolars and second molars, which were found to erupt earlier in boys. All the permanent mandibular teeth, except the second premolars, tended to erupt earlier than their maxillary antagonists in both sexes. The sequence of eruption differs between girls and boys in the maxillary canine and maxillary second premolars. In Class III malocclusion, all the permanent mandibular teeth erupt earlier than their maxillary antagonists. In the entire sample, the correlation between the number of erupted teeth and age was strong (p < .05), but the differences between sexes were not significant.ConclusionsIt is important to know the normal eruption time of permanent teeth in the population due to diagnosis and better treatment planning in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.

MORPHOLOGICAL CONDITION OF THE MUCOUS DURING THE PERIOD OF PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGE OF THE CANINES OF THE UPPER JAW

Physiological eruption of teeth indicates the proper development of the child. According to modern literature, in many countries around the world there is an increase in the frequency of dental anomalies with a violation of the eruption of teeth. Influence on the child's body of negative factors of both local and general nature causes the formation of this orthodontic. It is scientifically substantiated that there is a strong correlation between the number of erupted teeth – maxilaris anomalies. This means that the greater the prevalence of orthodontic pathology, the fewer erupted permanent teeth.&#x0D; Our complex analysis of micropreparations in patients with palatal and vestibularly retained canines of the upper jaw, showed changes in the microcirculatory tract with decreasing vascular density, dyscirculatory disorders, which further causes the formation of zones of ischemia, foci of initiation of necrobiotic changes. According to our data, more pronounced dystrophic and sclerotic processes were detected during vestibular placement of retained canines; instead, the processes of compensation and adjustment were less pronounced.Objective of the study: to determine the morphological features of the structure of the gums from the vestibular and palatal surfaces during the physiological change of canines.&#x0D; Object and research methods. For the subsequent solution of the tasks stipulated by the purpose of the work, 15 people aged 10 to 12 years with a physiological change in the canines of the upper jaw were included in the scientific work.&#x0D; Microscopic examination of the palatine parts of the gums revealed that the mucous membrane of the latter had a typical structure. Stratified squamous epithelium with expressive differentiation into basal, prickly granular and stratum corneum was visualized along the entire length. The formation of acanthotic epithelial cords took place in almost all cases. The latter buried deep in the lamina propria of the mucous membrane, periodically forming bizarre reticular structures. In the described epithelial complexes, an increase in the number of mitotic figures took place, indicating an increased proliferative activity of the epithelium.&#x0D; The study of the features of the morphological structure of the gums during the change of temporary canines suggests that signs of inflammation prevail in the mucous membrane, which are more pronounced in the vestibular areas.&#x0D; The study of the mucous membrane of the vestibular edge of the gums revealed almost everywhere acanthotic foci of multilayered squamous epithelium. Quite often there was a hypertrophy of an epithelial layer due to increase in cell rows of a prickly layer. Quite often in epitheliocytes of a prickly layer cells with the phenomena of a hydropic dystrophy as evidenced by detection in perinuclear space of epitheliocytes of transparent, average sizes of a vacuole were found.&#x0D; In 7 cases, we found inflammatory changes in our own plate, the nature of which differed slightly from those described above. Thus, inflammatory infiltration was everywhere either diffuse or large-focal in nature and spread significantly deeper into its own plate of the mucous membrane. Among the cellular elements of the inflammatory infiltrate, neutrophilic leukocytes were quite often found, which indicate the active phase of the inflammatory process. Sclerotic changes similar to those described above were also detected by us in 5 cases.&#x0D; Comparison of data on the structure of the vestibular and palatal areas of the gums found that in the papillary layer of the lamina propria of the gingival mucosa of the vestibular area there were signs of inflammation, which were more pronounced compared to the palatine. The higher level of signs of inflammation of the vestibular area can be explained by the peculiarities of the physiological eruption of the canines - more vestibular. It is known that a key role in the development of various symptoms of teething belongs to pro-inflammatory cytokines. The obtained data on the features of the morphological structure of the gums under conditions of physiological changes in canines can serve as qualitative indicators in the diagnosis of the state of the mucous membrane over the crowns of impacted teeth and will allow clinicians to rethink clinical approaches and determine the justification for the volume complex of surgical and orthodontic treatment of this dentoalveolar anomaly.

Early Weight Gain Forecasts Accelerated Eruption of Deciduous Teeth and Later Overweight Status during the First Year

To determine whether early diet and weight gain velocity have independent or interactive effects on deciduous teeth emergence and overweight status during the first year. Monthly measures of anthropometry and teeth eruption were collected during a 1-year trial (0.5-12.5months) on formula-fed infants in which the type of randomized infant formula (cow milk or extensively hydrolyzed protein) diet significantly affected early (0.5-4.5months) weight gain velocity. Generalized linear mixed models determined whether early diet and weight gain velocity had independent or interactive effects on timing and pattern of teeth eruption. Data from a trial on breastfed infants were used to explore effects of breast milk vs infant formula diets on teeth eruption and overweight status at 10.5months. Independent of infant formula diet, velocities of weight gain had direct effects on the age of first deciduous tooth (P<.04) and number of erupted teeth over time (P<.002). Greater velocity of weight gain from 0.5 to 4.5months caused earlier and more frequent eruption of deciduous teeth from 4.5 to 12.5months. Exploratory follow-up analyses on the breastfed and formula-fed diet groups found early weight gain velocity (P=.001), but not diet or its interaction, had significant effects. Infants in the upper quartile for weight gain velocity had more primary teeth (P=.002), and a greater proportion of them were overweight (P<.001) at 10.5months. Faster weight gain accretion forecasted accelerated primary teeth eruption and increased percentage of children who were overweight-risk factors for dental caries and obesity. ClinicalTrials.govNCT01700205 [2012-2015] and NCT01667549 [2012-2015].

Microorganisms related to early childhood caries in a sample of an oral preventive-educative program: a longitudinal study

Objetivo: Premature acquisition of cariogenic microorganisms seems to be related to higher prevalence and activity of caries lesions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in infants enrolled in a dental preventive program and in their mothers, as well as to assess the influence of bacterial prevalence, diet and oral hygiene in dental caries prevalence. Material and Methods: After clinical examinations (n = 50), saliva and oral biofilms were collected and stored prior to real-time PCR at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of age. Results: No correlation was observed between the presence of cariogenic pathogens and diet or hygiene habits at all ages; however, association increased with number of erupted teeth. Salivary levels of bacteria were lower in children than in their mothers at all ages, and children with carious lesions had high ingestion of sugared food. Conclusion: As the levels of cariogenic pathogens were low in the patients that were enrolled in a preventive program, we can conclude that control of oral biofilm as eruption of infants’ teeth occurs and sugar ingestion should be considered of great importance in preventive dentistry, because the association between them was highly positive.KeywordsSaliva; Dental caries; Oral hygiene; Cariogenic; Streptococcus mutans.

Effects of Premature Delivery and Birth Weight on Eruption Pattern of Primary Dentition among Beijing Children.

To evaluate the effect of premature delivery and birth weight (BW) on primary tooth eruption. A total of 2,230 children aged 3 to 36 months from urban and rural areas in Beijing, China, were classified for analysis by gestational age at delivery (89 preterm and 2,141 full term) and BW (low, normal and high). The tooth eruption status of these children was examined and recorded every 3 months. The timing of first primary tooth eruption was significantly delayed in preterm infants (8.4 months versus 7.3 months for full term; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of teeth was significantly less for the preterm and low-BW groups at 12 to 18 and 24 to 30 months, but the number of teeth caught up with normal-BW children by 30 to 36 months. In contrast, the time of first tooth eruption of high-BW children was earlier, while the erupted teeth at each month range was more than the normal-BW group. This research also demonstrated a negative correlation (r = -0.202; P = 0.009) between the time of first primary tooth eruption and BW as well as a positive correlation between the number of erupted teeth and BW. Premature delivery and BW were the influencing factors for the timing of primary tooth eruption in children from Beijing, China. Recommendations for feeding habits and oral healthcare implementation may vary according to different primary tooth eruption status among individuals.

Dependence of Deciduous Tooth Eruption Terms and Tooth Growth Rate on the Weight-Height Index at Birth in Macrosomic Children over the First Year of Life.

The aim of this research is to study the effect of body overweight at birth (fetal macrosomia) on the processes of tooth eruption and tooth growth during the first year of life in children in the Kharkiv City (Ukraine) population. One of the research tasks is to examine the features of deciduous teeth eruption in children who were born with macrosomia with different values of the weight-height index at birth. Materials and methods. The medical records of the children born between 1977 and 2013 have been analyzed. The database has been collected in one of the Kharkiv City clinic. The Main Group is comprised of the medical records of the children (separately for boys and girls) born with fetal macrosomia. All the medical records of the Main Group have been divided into subgroups taking into account the gender and the harmonious (well-balanced) development coefficient. The Comparison Group is comprised of the medical records of the children also born within the normal term range, but with weight and height that correspond to the gestation age (fetal normosomia). To determine the average time of the first tooth eruption, as well as the deciduous teeth growth rate for each of the groups under the study, we have used the hypothesis about a linear dependence between the number of erupted teeth and the age of the child. The statistical data processing and verification of the consistency of this hypothesis is performed using the multiple linear regression analysis with the STATISTICA 6.0 software package (Multiple Regression module). The number of delayed eruption and premature eruption cases observed is calculated along with the corresponding confidence intervals for the significance level, p, of less than 0.05, taking into account the binomial distribution of the random variable. The results of the study indicate a slowed growth rate of deciduous teeth in children born with macrosomia, as well as an increased number of cases (by a factor of 2 to 4 times) of deviations in the timing of teeth eruption compared to regional norms. The smallest growth rate of deciduous teeth and the smallest number of teeth at the age of one year are registered in macrosomic boys and macrosomic girls with a long body and a relatively reduced birth weight, as well as in macrosomic girls with intrauterine obesity. The macrosomic girls with intrauterine acceleration with obesity at the background have the largest average tooth growth rate and the largest percentage of premature eruption cases among all subgroups. Conclusions. The somatometric features of fetal macrosomia suggest the influence on the number of teeth that erupt by a certain age. The data on the deviation from the generally accepted terms of teeth eruption in children born with macrosomia, can be the basis for developing new and improving existing prevention programs aimed at preserving dental health.

Relationship between Interdental Spacing and Colonization by Streptococcus mutans in Children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between interdental spacing in the upper incisors and other associated factors with colonization by Streptococcus mutans in children. A total of 47 children aged between 24 and 36 months with no decayed cavities were enrolled in the study. Models were obtained to evaluate interdental spacing in the upper anterior region. The relationships between S. mutans colonization and number of erupted teeth, interdental spacing, diet, and oral hygiene behavior were investigated. S. mutans was detected in the saliva of 14 children (29.8%). No sociodemographic variable was associated with colonization by S. mutans. Neither number of erupted teeth nor children's age showed an influence on colonization by S. mutans. However, children with interdental spacing in the upper incisors were less likely to show colonization by S. mutans (15.8%) than those without (39.3%). Furthermore, children who ceased breast-and/or bottle-feeding by 15 months of age were less likely to show colonization by S. mutans (22.7%) than those who continued feeding until 19 months of age or more (46.2%).

Timing of dental development in osteogenesis imperfecta patients with and without bisphosphonate treatment

Bisphosphonates have established their role as medical therapy for pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) patients. Since bisphosphonates have also been shown to delay tooth development in animal models, we aimed to assess whether the medication has a similar effect on children with OI. In this cross-sectional study, bisphosphonate-treated OI patients of whom dental panoramic tomograph was taken between 3 and 16years of age formed the study group. The patients, 22 in total, had been treated with pamidronate, zoledronic acid or risedronate for at least one year before the radiography. Developmental stage of the permanent teeth, resorption of the deciduous teeth, and number of the erupted permanent teeth were radiographically assessed in the left mandibular quadrant. Dental panoramic tomographs of 50 OI patients, naïve to bisphosphonates, and of 50 healthy individuals of the same age were used as controls. The dental development was statistically significantly accelerated in the OI group naïve to bisphosphonates showing median advancement of dental age by 0.63years from chronological age and median increase in the number of erupted teeth by 0.31 as compared to Finnish norms. Bisphosphonate-treated OI patients displayed, however, age-appropriate dental development. The OI patients not treated with bisphosphonates also showed statistically significantly faster resorption of the deciduous teeth than the treated ones, and displayed an altered interrelationship between the resorption stage of an individual primary tooth and the developmental stage of the succedaneous permanent tooth, unlike the OI patients treated with bisphosphonate. No correlation between either cumulative bisphosphonate dose or between treatment length and any measured component of the dental development was found. To conclude, OI itself was found to lead to advanced dental development. Bisphosphonate treatment had a delaying effect in all the three aspects studied, resulting in a rate of dental development indistinguishable from normal.

Transmission of mutans streptococci in mother-child pairs.

Background & objectives:Dental caries is an infectious, transmissible disease. Maternal transfer of mutans streptococci (MS) has been a subject of research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmission of MS from mother to children through genetic analysis.Methods:Thirty mother–child pairs were included and divided into three groups according to the age of the children. Saliva samples were collected and MS colonies from each mother-child pair were isolated. After inoculation and incubation, MS colonies were submitted to amplification technique by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification and arbitrarily primed PCRs (AP-PCRs) to determine various MS genotypes.Results:From birth to six months of age, 30 per cent of children exhibited MS colonization, and by the age of 30 months, 100 per cent harboured the bacteria (P < 0.001). Factors associated with MS colonization were eruption of teeth (P < 0.001), feeding habits with mean colony count being significantly lower in breast-fed as compared to bottle-fed children (P < 0.001) and a significant association between mean MS count of child and mother's practice of sharing spoon with child (P < 0.001). The AP-PCR fingerprinting profile analysis showed 17 MS groups (clusters) containing identical or highly related isolates in mother-child pairs with a high level of similarity (77.27 %).Interpretation & conclusions:The presence of matching MS genotypes suggested vertical transmission from mothers to children. Feeding habits, gum cleaning and number of erupted teeth in children had significant effect on MS colonization. There is a need to develop strategies to present MS colonization in children.

Impact of low birthweight on early childhood caries in 6–36 months old infants in Uganda: A cross-sectional study

Objective. Focusing on 6–36 months old infants, this study assessed (1) whether socio-economic status, current anthropometric status, presence of enamel hypoplasia, number of erupted teeth, oral hygiene and consumption of sugared snacks varied between children with normal birthweight (NBW) and low birthweight (LBW) and (2) the association between ECC and birthweight whilst adjusting for covariates of ECC, such as current anthropometric status. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kampala in 2007, involving 816 child/caretaker pairs. All caretakers completed face-to-face interviews. Children were examined for ECC and enamel defects using WHO (1997) criteria and the developmental defects of enamel (DDE) index. Weight at birth was obtained from hospital records and current anthropometric status was assessed using z-scores for weight-for-length (WLZ), length-for-age (LAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ). Results. Prevalence of LBW (< 2500 g) and ECC were estimated to 11.5% and 18.1%, respectively. Children with LBW and those with ECC presented with more visible plaque, higher sugar consumption and more current underweight (WAZ < −2) than children with normal birth weight (NBW) and no caries; 26.7% of LBW vs 17.3% (p < 0.001) of NBW children presented with ECC. Enamel defects (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.6–4.8) and presence of visible plaque (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.3–4.1), but not LBW, were associated with ECC in multiple variable logistic regression analyses. Conclusion. Both LBW and ECC were associated with poor oral hygiene, high intake of sugars and current underweight. Enamel defects were associated with ECC. Adjusting for covariates there were no clear association between LBW and ECC. Studies using a prospective study design are needed for further investigation.

BACTERIAL DENTAL PLAQUE IS AN INDEPENDANT PREDICTOR OF AORTIC STIFFNESS IN POPULATION-BASED SAMPLE: PP.8.310

Background: Pulse wave velocity, a classical index of aortic stiffness has been associated with innate immunity against gram negative bacteria in humans. The aim of the study was to analyze the relation between oral status and aortic stiffness in a large sample of apparently healthy subjects. Methods: 255 subjects aged 35–74 years randomly selected from the polling lists recruited by the Toulouse MONICA centre between 2006 and 2007 were included. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits were recorded. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and blood pressure were measured. In all subjects, the 28 teeth were examined at 4 sites per tooth: mesiobuccal, midbuccal, distolingual and midlingual by the same experienced clinician throughout the study. Attachment loss (AL), periodontal pocket depth (PD) were measured (mm). Dental plaque (DP) and gingival inflammation (GI) were graded from 0 to 4. AL, PD, DP and GI indexes were calculated as the sum of. AL, PD, DP and GI divided by the number of erupted teeth. Results: All data were available in 252 subjects (57.8 ± 9.5 years, 138 men). Periodontitis was present in 156 (62%) patients. Pulse wave velocity was of 12.35 ± 3.29 m/s. In univariate analysis, PWV was correlated with PD GI, AL and DP indexes (p < .01). After adjustment for age, sex, systolic blood pressure, education level, physical activity, smoking status, c reactive protein and body mass index, only dental plaque index (p = .02) was associated with PWV. Conclusion: The current data showed that dental plaque was linked with aortic stiffness. This study suggests that oral health improvement may result in beneficial change in arterial haemodynamics in the population.

Initial acquisition and transmission of Streptococcus mutans from Japanese mothers to children

The purpose of this study was to determine the time-window of infection for Streptococcus mutans between mother and child in Japan and which factors affected colonization by this microorganism. After obtaining informed consent, saliva was collected from the mothers and their children. These samples were serially diluted and inoculated onto Mitis-Salivarius agar and Mitis-Salivarius bacitracin plates, and then cultured under anaerobic conditions at 37°C for 5 days. Isolated mutans streptococci were identified by conventional biochemical characteristics and species-specific polymerase chain reaction based on the dextranase gene. No mutans streptococci groups were isolated from 0–5-month-old children with no erupted teeth. No statistically significant difference was found in detection rates in S. mutans among mother's milk, bottled milk or mixture. Cross-sectional study revealed that detection rates of S. mutans in the saliva samples increased with number of erupted teeth. Pulse-field gel-electrophoresis patterns obtained from isolated S. mutans using SmaI from the mothers and their children indicated that colonization by S. mutans in some Japanese children resulted from vertical transmission. In strains in which vertical transmission was observed, the mutacin IV and Smb A and B genes were detected from 8 out of 12 isolates. These results suggest that the window of infection for S. mutans is at around 6–23 months, and that colonization by this microorganism is mainly affected by number of erupted teeth.

Prevalência da Cárie Precoce na Infância em Crianças de 6 a 36 Meses em Creches Públicas de Caruaru/PE

Purpose: To describe the prevalence early childhood caries in children aged 6 to 36 months attending public day care centers in the city of Caruaru/PE and its association with the children’s characteristics, as well as to assess the knowledge of parents/ guardians of oral health. Method: A transversal study design was established. Information regarding oral health was collected and the dental conditions of the children were examined. Information regarding the gestational characteristics and the child weight at birth was gathered by means of Sinasc (System of Information about Liveborn Infants). For the association tests by the chi-square statistical test to evaluate the relationship between the dependent variables (deft) and independent variables, the Epi-info software version 6.04 was used. Results: Out of 168 children enrolled in this study, 14.65 teeth per children were evaluated on average. Out of these, 62.3% were sound and only 3.3% were decayed. 92.9% of the parents/ guardians were aware that their children had primary teeth and knew their importance. 78.6% used to brush their children’s teeth; 74.4% knew how their children’s teeth were, although only 16.2% identified dental caries and 6% reported that their child had toothache. Only 12.5% had been to the dentist, being 27.3% for routine clinical visit and control. Of the 22.6% children that had dental caries, 79.4% were bottle-fed at night; 40.7% of them consumed sugared nursing bottle and 30.4% consumed sweets between meals, this consumption being increased at 25 months of age. Conclusions: The incidence of dental caries increases with age, as a consequence of the increase of the number of erupted teeth and the consumption of sugar in the diet

Time of initial acquisition of mutans streptococci by human infants.

The aim of this study was to detect and monitor the acquisition of mutans streptococci (MS) in healthy Brazilian children. Samples of 4 different sites (saliva, tongue dorsum, dental ridges, and dental plaque, if teeth were present) were collected from 33 edentulous nursery school infants (5.9+/-1.5 month-old), using sterilized swabs, bi-monthly for 24 months. Saliva samples from the mothers were collected only once. After inoculation, and incubation typical morphotype colonies, were isolated and submitted to amplification by the technique of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for identification. The PCR method identified 1667 strains as MS In 29 of the children's samples, the first positive culture for MS occurred at 15.3+/-4.6 months. At the end of the follow-up period, 77% of the children were classified as colonized and in 33% MS was found as a transient microorganism. A positive correlation was found between the time of MS acquisition by the infant and the number of erupted teeth (p<0.0001), and the time of emergence of the first tooth (p=0.0048). After 24 months, there were no dental caries, and 77% of children remained caries-free. These results indicate that MS colonization in this sample of low-income pre-school children may begin earlier than suggested by some investigations.

New forensic approach to age determination in children based on tooth eruption

The present study proposes equations for age determination both in living and dead children, obtained with the help of stepwise ascending multiple linear regression. The equations should be applied, based on the number of erupted teeth and tooth germs, which were detected on radiographs, during clinical examination and in infant skeletal remains. The proposed equations proved to be efficient just like Demirjian’s method used as a reference today, and permit age estimation till 20 years of age.