Related Experiment Videos
Estimation of the caries-related risk associated with infant formulas
Insights
Baby bottle tooth decay is linked to infant formula. This study found that some formulas significantly lower plaque pH, support bacterial growth, and accelerate tooth decay, posing a caries risk.
Area of Science:
- Dental Research
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) affects a significant percentage of young children.
- Inappropriate bottle use is a known contributing factor to BBTD.
- Understanding the cariogenic potential of infant feeding products is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the caries-related risk of 26 different infant formulas and whole milk.
- To evaluate the impact of these products on oral pH, bacterial growth, and enamel demineralization.
Main Methods:
- Plaque pH measurements in volunteers after rinsing with formulas.
- Culturing Streptococcus sobrinus in infant formulas to assess bacterial growth.
- In vitro enamel demineralization assays and acid buffering capacity tests.
- Long-term animal model studies to assess caries development over 18 weeks.
Main Results:
- Most infant formulas significantly reduced plaque pH compared to water.
- Certain formulas supported substantial bacterial growth.
- Enamel mineral dissolution was observed with specific infant formulas.
- Significant variations in buffering capacity and caries development time were noted among formulas.
Conclusions:
- Some infant formulas present a considerable caries risk due to their effects on pH, bacterial growth, and enamel demineralization.
- The findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate infant feeding products to mitigate the risk of baby bottle tooth decay.
Purpose:
Baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) affects 6% of children under three years of age and is associated with inappropriate bottle use. The objective of this study was to estimate the caries-related risk associated with 26 infant formulas and whole milk.
Methods:
First, the plaque pH of adult volunteers was monitored before and after an oral rinse with infant formula to determine the minimum pH obtained in response to each formula. Second, Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 was cultured in each infant formula, and the increase in the number of colony forming units was measured. Third, each infant formula was incubated with powdered enamel and the solubility of enamel mineral was calculated in the absence of bacteria. Fourth, each formula was mixed with standardized concentrations of acid to determine the buffering capabilities. Finally, enamel windows were created on extracted permanent molars and exfoliated primary incisor crowns that were then colonized with mutans streptococci and incubated with infant formula. Caries was assessed visually and radiographically for 18 weeks. The length of time required for the development of enamel caries, dentinal caries and pulpal involvement was recorded.
Results:
One-way or two-way ANOVA of these five assays demonstrated that 1. Plaque pH varied in response to oral rinsing with infant formula and most formulas did have the ability to reduce the pH significantly below the pH obtained after rinsing with water 2. Some infant formulas supported significant bacterial growth 3. Enamel mineral was dissolved by incubation with certain infant formula 4. The buffer capacity varied among the infant formulas tested 5. The length of time required for caries to reach dentin or pulp differed for the formulas, with some formulas causing dentinal caries by 3.4 weeks and pulpal involvement by 7.2 weeks.