Oral Microbiome Dynamics in Treated Childhood Caries: A Comparative Study
Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that results from interactions of susceptible host, cariogenic microorganisms, and fermentable carbohydrate sources. Our study explored oral microbiome shifts in children before and after dental treatment. Methods: Initial saliva samples were col...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Life |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/14/12/1576 |
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| Summary: | Background: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease that results from interactions of susceptible host, cariogenic microorganisms, and fermentable carbohydrate sources. Our study explored oral microbiome shifts in children before and after dental treatment. Methods: Initial saliva samples were collected from caries free, moderate caries, and severe caries children based on the decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT/dmft) index. After three months of dental treatment, second saliva samples were gathered from the moderate and severe caries groups. The microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based high-throughput sequencing. Results: Most children with caries were between seven and eight years of age (40%), from middle-income group families (61%), highly educated parents (18% secondary level and 75% tertiary level) with good oral hygiene practices. There was a significant increase in alpha-diversity post-dental intervention. Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria were abundant across all samples. Post-treatment, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes significantly decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) while Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetota, and Synergistota significantly increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05). At genus level, a decreased trend was seen in <i>Streptococcus</i>, <i>Prevotella_7</i>, and <i>Rothia</i> and an increased trend was seen in <i>Fusobacterium</i>, <i>Neisseria</i>, <i>Haemophilus</i>, and <i>Leptotrichia</i>, but was not statistically significant. Conclusions: This study on Malaysian children highlights that dental caries are influenced by factors like age, socioeconomic status, and diet, with oral microbiome diversity increasing post-treatment, though some harmful bacteria persist, indicating a need for targeted oral health education and further research on probiotics’ role in caries prevention. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-1729 |