Elisabeth Raner1, Lina Lindqvist1, Sofia Johansson1, Haidar Hassan1, Anette Carlén1, Narong Suksu-art2, Gunnar Dahlén3. 1. Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 450, 40530 Göteborg, Sweden. 2. Princess Mother Medical Voluntary Foundation, Bangkok, Thailand. 3. Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 450, 40530 Göteborg, Sweden. Electronic address: dahlen@odontologi.gu.se.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study compares pH and microbiological profile of dental plaque in children and adults of a low caries population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-nine children, 12-14 years of age and 45 adults between 20 and 39 years of age in 5 Karen villages of the Tak province, Northern Thailand were examined for plaque, calculus, caries (DMFT) and pH measurements in resting plaque and after a sucrose rinse. Information on dietary and oral hygiene habits was obtained through interviews using a fixed questionnaire. Microbiological profile of plaque samples was analyzed with DNA-DNA checkerboard technique. RESULTS: Mean DMFT was 0.77 ± 1.56 and 87% of the adults and 67% of the children were caries free (p < 0.05). The mean resting pH was for both age groups in the range of 7.0-7.1 and significantly higher than a Swedish caries free reference group. Karen adult men had significantly lower pH minimum than females and children (p < 0.05). Supragingival plaque samples showed high levels of low acidogenic and anaerobic species, which dominated over strong acid producers such as streptococci. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that the Karen children and adults has a plaque physiology and microbiology predominating by low acidogenic anaerobes, which in addition to the low sucrose intake explains the low caries prevalence in this population.
OBJECTIVE: This study compares pH and microbiological profile of dental plaque in children and adults of a low caries population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-nine children, 12-14 years of age and 45 adults between 20 and 39 years of age in 5 Karen villages of the Tak province, Northern Thailand were examined for plaque, calculus, caries (DMFT) and pH measurements in resting plaque and after a sucrose rinse. Information on dietary and oral hygiene habits was obtained through interviews using a fixed questionnaire. Microbiological profile of plaque samples was analyzed with DNA-DNA checkerboard technique. RESULTS: Mean DMFT was 0.77 ± 1.56 and 87% of the adults and 67% of the children were caries free (p < 0.05). The mean resting pH was for both age groups in the range of 7.0-7.1 and significantly higher than a Swedish caries free reference group. Karen adult men had significantly lower pH minimum than females and children (p < 0.05). Supragingival plaque samples showed high levels of low acidogenic and anaerobic species, which dominated over strong acid producers such as streptococci. CONCLUSION: The study indicates that the Karen children and adults has a plaque physiology and microbiology predominating by low acidogenic anaerobes, which in addition to the low sucrose intake explains the low caries prevalence in this population.
Authors: Manuja Sharma; Lauren K Lee; Matthew D Carson; David S Park; Se W An; Micah G Bovenkamp; Jess J Cayetano; Ian A Berude; Leonard Y Nelson; Zheng Xu; Alireza Sadr; Shwetak N Patel; Eric J Seibel Journal: IEEE Trans Biomed Eng Date: 2022-08-19 Impact factor: 4.756