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Streptococcus mutans in children using nursing bottles
C M Kreulen1, H J de Soet, R Hogeveen
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), The Netherlands.
Insights
Children with nursing bottle caries (NBC) had more Streptococcus mutans than controls. However, NBC patients were colonized by fewer S. mutans types, suggesting a link between S. mutans diversity and NBC risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Microbiology
- Cariology
Background:
- Nursing bottle caries (NBC) is a prevalent issue in early childhood.
- Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is a primary etiological agent of dental caries.
- Understanding S. mutans colonization patterns in relation to NBC is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare S. mutans colonization in children with and without nursing bottle caries (NBC) within families.
- To investigate the relationship between S. mutans clonal types and the presence of NBC.
Main Methods:
- Seven families with pairs of children, where both used sweetened bottles beyond necessity, were studied.
- Saliva and plaque samples were collected for S. mutans colony-forming unit (CFU) counting and DNA-based clonal type screening.
- Children were categorized as NBC patients or controls.
Main Results:
- NBC patients harbored significantly higher levels of S. mutans (mean 5.8 CFU/ml) compared to controls (mean 2.9 CFU/ml).
- Controls were colonized by 2-5 distinct S. mutans clonal types, whereas NBC patients predominantly showed only one type.
- CFU-counting alone showed inconsistent results for NBC risk assessment.
Conclusions:
- A reduced diversity of S. mutans clonal types may be associated with an increased risk of nursing bottle caries (NBC).
- Further research is needed to clarify the role of S. mutans strain diversity in NBC development.
Abstract:
This study aimed at comparing S.mutans in pairs of children within families; both children used a sweetened nursing bottle beyond the dietary need, while one child was affected with nursing bottle caries (NBC), the other not. Seven families were selected. The children of a pair showed no dissimilarities as regards dietary habits. Mean patient-age was 3.7 yrs, controls 5.7 yrs. Saliva and plaque were sampled for CFU-counting and clonal (DNA) type-screening of S.mutans. The NBC-patients harbored significantly more S.mutans than the controls (mean 5.8 CFU/ml vs. 2.9 CFU/ml). While the controls were colonized with 2-5 clonal types of S.mutans, in the patients only one type was observed. The results were not consistent for NBC-risk assessment by CFU-counting. An inverse relationship between the number of clonal S.mutans types and NBC is suggested.