Supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition
Abstract Background Dental plaque accumulation plays a key role in caries development. This study explored the relationships between dental caries experience, the bacterial composition of dental plaque, and oral health behaviors in children with mixed dentition and fair-to-good oral hygiene, as asse...
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2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06123-x |
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| author | Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek Natalia Torlińska-Walkowiak Kalina Maćkowiak Małgorzata Mizgier Katarzyna Pacholak Agnieszka Olejnik-Schmidt Marcin Schmidt Renata Śniatała |
| author_facet | Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek Natalia Torlińska-Walkowiak Kalina Maćkowiak Małgorzata Mizgier Katarzyna Pacholak Agnieszka Olejnik-Schmidt Marcin Schmidt Renata Śniatała |
| author_sort | Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dental plaque accumulation plays a key role in caries development. This study explored the relationships between dental caries experience, the bacterial composition of dental plaque, and oral health behaviors in children with mixed dentition and fair-to-good oral hygiene, as assessed by the Silness and Löe Plaque Index (PlI). Methods This study included 54 children (6–12 years, mean ± SD = 8 ± 2) from Greater Poland Province. The participants’ parents completed a questionnaire on diet, oral hygiene, and dental care. Two calibrated pediatric dentists performed the dental examinations. Supragingival plaque samples were collected from intact enamel, and bacterial detection was conducted via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Among the 54 children, 39 had a history of dental caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System – Decayed, Missing, and Filled teeth index for permanent and primary dentition, ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0), 15 were caries-free, and 37 had at least one cavitated lesion, restoration, or extraction (DMF/dmf > 0). Streptococcus mutans was significantly more prevalent in children with ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.026) and DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.038). Parascardovia denticolens was significantly more prevalent in children with DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.027). Children harboring S. mutans and P. denticolens had significantly higher PlI scores (median: 0.5) than did those without these bacteria (median: 0.2) (p = 0.028, p = 0.014). The median intake of cariogenic beverages was greater in children with ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.038). A lack of dental visits in the past 12 months was associated with detectable S. mutans (p = 0.021) and Actinomyces viscosus (p = 0.041). Bottle feeding beyond 18 months correlated with the presence of Scardovia wiggsiae (p = 0.028). Nighttime meals or drinks were associated with dental caries experience (p = 0.046) and S. mutans detection (p = 0.016). Conclusions The strong association of S. mutans with caries, along with the frequent detection of P. denticolens in children with cavitated lesions, highlights the importance of these species as potential targets for preventive strategies. The association of S. wiggsiae with prolonged bottle-feeding might suggest that early feeding behaviors influence microbial colonization. In children with fair-to-good oral hygiene, parental education on nighttime feeding, limiting cariogenic beverages, and promoting regular dental visits remain crucial for caries prevention. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a129e960f3234897bb722852decb531d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6831 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Oral Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-a129e960f3234897bb722852decb531d2025-08-20T03:54:10ZengBMCBMC Oral Health1472-68312025-05-0125111110.1186/s12903-025-06123-xSupragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentitionJustyna Opydo-Szymaczek0Natalia Torlińska-Walkowiak1Kalina Maćkowiak2Małgorzata Mizgier3Katarzyna Pacholak4Agnieszka Olejnik-Schmidt5Marcin Schmidt6Renata Śniatała7Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical SciencesChair and Department of Medical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Poznan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Sports Dietetics, Chair of Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Poznan University of Physical EducationDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Poznan University of Life SciencesDepartment of Biotechnology and Food Microbiology, Poznan University of Life SciencesDepartment of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Dental plaque accumulation plays a key role in caries development. This study explored the relationships between dental caries experience, the bacterial composition of dental plaque, and oral health behaviors in children with mixed dentition and fair-to-good oral hygiene, as assessed by the Silness and Löe Plaque Index (PlI). Methods This study included 54 children (6–12 years, mean ± SD = 8 ± 2) from Greater Poland Province. The participants’ parents completed a questionnaire on diet, oral hygiene, and dental care. Two calibrated pediatric dentists performed the dental examinations. Supragingival plaque samples were collected from intact enamel, and bacterial detection was conducted via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Among the 54 children, 39 had a history of dental caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System – Decayed, Missing, and Filled teeth index for permanent and primary dentition, ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0), 15 were caries-free, and 37 had at least one cavitated lesion, restoration, or extraction (DMF/dmf > 0). Streptococcus mutans was significantly more prevalent in children with ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.026) and DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.038). Parascardovia denticolens was significantly more prevalent in children with DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.027). Children harboring S. mutans and P. denticolens had significantly higher PlI scores (median: 0.5) than did those without these bacteria (median: 0.2) (p = 0.028, p = 0.014). The median intake of cariogenic beverages was greater in children with ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.038). A lack of dental visits in the past 12 months was associated with detectable S. mutans (p = 0.021) and Actinomyces viscosus (p = 0.041). Bottle feeding beyond 18 months correlated with the presence of Scardovia wiggsiae (p = 0.028). Nighttime meals or drinks were associated with dental caries experience (p = 0.046) and S. mutans detection (p = 0.016). Conclusions The strong association of S. mutans with caries, along with the frequent detection of P. denticolens in children with cavitated lesions, highlights the importance of these species as potential targets for preventive strategies. The association of S. wiggsiae with prolonged bottle-feeding might suggest that early feeding behaviors influence microbial colonization. In children with fair-to-good oral hygiene, parental education on nighttime feeding, limiting cariogenic beverages, and promoting regular dental visits remain crucial for caries prevention.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06123-xDental plaqueCariogenic microfloraDental caries riskMixed dentitionChildren |
| spellingShingle | Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek Natalia Torlińska-Walkowiak Kalina Maćkowiak Małgorzata Mizgier Katarzyna Pacholak Agnieszka Olejnik-Schmidt Marcin Schmidt Renata Śniatała Supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition BMC Oral Health Dental plaque Cariogenic microflora Dental caries risk Mixed dentition Children |
| title | Supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition |
| title_full | Supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition |
| title_fullStr | Supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition |
| title_full_unstemmed | Supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition |
| title_short | Supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition |
| title_sort | supragingival plaque microbiota and caries risk factors among children with mixed dentition |
| topic | Dental plaque Cariogenic microflora Dental caries risk Mixed dentition Children |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-025-06123-x |
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