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Updated: May 2, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
Oral Microbiome Dynamics in Treated Childhood Caries: A Comparative Study
Zahirrah Begam Mohamed Rasheed1, Chew Wei Sheng2, Erika Norfitriah1
1Department of Craniofacial Diagnostics & Biosciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, Kuala Lumpur 50300, Malaysia.
Dental caries treatment in children increased oral microbiome diversity. Some beneficial bacteria decreased while potentially harmful bacteria increased post-treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing oral health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral Health
Background:
- Dental caries is a complex disease influenced by host susceptibility, microbial activity, and dietary carbohydrates.
- Understanding oral microbiome dynamics is crucial for managing pediatric dental caries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate shifts in the oral microbiome of children before and after dental caries treatment.
- To correlate oral microbiome changes with clinical outcomes and demographic factors.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples collected from children with varying caries severity (caries-free, moderate, severe) using the DMFT/dmft index.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyzed microbial composition pre- and post-dental intervention (3-month follow-up).
Main Results:
- Oral microbiome alpha-diversity significantly increased after dental treatment.
- Post-treatment, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes decreased, while Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetota, and Synergistota increased (p < 0.05).
- Trends showed decreased Streptococcus and increased Fusobacterium, Neisseria, Haemophilus, and Leptotrichia at the genus level.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric dental caries in Malaysia is linked to age, socioeconomic status, and diet.
- Dental treatment enhances oral microbiome diversity but does not eliminate all cariogenic bacteria.
- Targeted oral health education and research into probiotics are recommended for caries prevention.
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