Evaluation of Clinical, Biochemical and Microbiological Markers Related to Dental Caries

Maria D Ferrer, Salvadora Pérez, Aránzazu López Lopez, José Luis Sanz, Maria Melo, Carmen Llena and Alejandro Mira
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Maria D Ferrer: FISABIO Foundation, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, 46020 Valencia, Spain
Salvadora Pérez: Department of Stomatology, Universitat de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Aránzazu López Lopez: FISABIO Foundation, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, 46020 Valencia, Spain
José Luis Sanz: Department of Stomatology, Universitat de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Maria Melo: Department of Stomatology, Universitat de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Carmen Llena: Department of Stomatology, Universitat de Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Alejandro Mira: FISABIO Foundation, Center for Advanced Research in Public Health, 46020 Valencia, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Our aim was to evaluate clinical, biochemical and microbiological markers related to dental caries in adults. A sample that consisted of 75 volunteers was utilized. The presence of caries and the presence of plaque and gingival indices were determined. Unstimulated salivary flow, pH, lactate, Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus dentisani were measured in the participants’ plaque and saliva samples before and after rinsing with a sugar solution. Lactate in plaque was found to be significantly related to age, gender, tooth-brushing frequency, the presence of cavitated caries lesions and plaque and gingival indices ( p < 0.05). The levels of S. dentisani in plaque increased significantly with tooth-brushing frequency ( p = 0.03). Normalized plaque S. dentisani values and the percentage of S. dentisani were slightly higher in patients with basal lactic acid levels ? 50 mg/L. After rinsing with a sugary solution, the percentage of S. mutans levels in plaque were higher in patients with lactic acid levels > 350 mg/L ( p = 0.03). Tooth-brushing frequency was the factor which was most associated with oral health. Women reflected better clinical and biochemical parameters than men. Low pH and high lactic acid levels tended to be associated with high caries rates. No association was found between bacteria levels and caries indices.

Keywords: caries; S. dentisani; S. mutans; lactic acid; pH; dental plaque; saliva (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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