Dental caries as a source of Helicobacter pylori infection in children: An RT-PCR study

Findings on the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity are conflicting. This bacterium can occur either transiently in the oral cavity or, in some situations, pose a threat to oral/gastric tissues.

We investigated the presence of H. pylori in deep carious lesions of children and assessed its association with dental status and caries severity.

This cross-sectional study involved 20 children aged 3-6 years attending the paediatric outpatient clinic. Demographic and oral hygiene-related data were obtained from parents/caregivers. Caries status and severity were assessed using the DMFT and ICDAS II indices respectively. Dentine samples were collected and stored in phosphate-buffered saline solution. These samples were assessed for H. pylori using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. DMFT and ICDAS II scores were compared between children with and without H. pylori.

H. pylori was detected in 70% of children with severe carious lesions (95% confidence interval: 46%-88%). The mean DMFT score was significantly higher in the group with H. pylori than in the group without (p = .001). The prevalence of H. pylori was greater in those with ICDAS II code 6 than in those with ICDAS II code 5 caries. Cavitated carious lesions can serve as a reservoir for H. pylori. Its presence was associated with higher caries status and caries severity (ICDAS II code 6). The presence of H. pylori in such cavities may tip the balance of plaque ecosystem in favour of Streptococcus mutans, the main bacterial source in dental caries.