The short-term impact of comprehensive caries treatment on the supragingival microbiome of severe early childhood caries.

BACKGROUND: Children affected by severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) usually need comprehensive caries treatment due to the extensive of caries. How the oral microbiome changes after caries therapy within the short-term warrant further study. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the short-term impact of comprehensive caries treatment on the supragingival plaque microbiome of S-ECC children. DESIGN: Thirty-three children aged 2-4 years with severe caries (dt > 7) were recruited. Comprehensive caries treatment was performed under general anesthesia in one session and included restoration, pulp treatment, extraction, and fluoride application. Supragingival plaque was sampled pre- and 1-month posttreatment. The genomic DNA of the supragingival plaque was extracted, and bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed. RESULTS: Our data showed that the microbial community evenness significantly decreased posttreatment. Furthermore, comprehensive caries treatment led to more diverse microbial structures among the subjects. The interbacterial interactions reflected by the microbial community's co-occurrence network tended to be less complex posttreatment. Caries treatment increased the relative abundance of Corynebacterium matruchotii, Corynebacterium durum, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Saccharibacteria HMT-347, as well as Aggregatibacter HMT-458 and Haemophilus influenzae. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of Streptococcus mutans, three species from Leptotrichia, Neisseria bacilliformis, and Provotella pallens significantly decreased posttreatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that comprehensive caries treatment may contribute to the reconstruction of a healthier supragingival microbiome.

Efficacy of a mouthwash containing ε-poly-L-lysine, funme peptides and domiphen in reducing halitosis and supragingival plaque: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antibacterial effectiveness of a combination of ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-PL), funme peptide (FP) as well as domiphen against oral pathogens, and assess the efficacy of a BOP® mouthwash supplemented with this combination in reducing halitosis and supragingival plaque in a clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the compound against Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were determined by the gradient dilution method. Subsequently, the CCK-8 assay was used to detect the toxicity of mouthwash on human gingival fibroblastst, and the effectiveness in reducing halitosis and supragingival plaque of the mouthwash supplemented with the combination was analyzed by a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled clinical trial. RESULTS: The combination exhibited significant inhibitory effects on tested oral pathogens with the MIC < 1.56% (v/v) and the MBC < 3.13% (v/v), and the mouthwash containing this combination did not inhibit the viability of human gingival fibroblasts at the test concentrations. The clinical trial showed that the test group displayed notably lower volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) at 0, 10, 24 h, and 7 d post-mouthwash (P < 0.05), compared with the baseline. After 7 days, the VSC levels of the and control groups were reduced by 50.27% and 32.12%, respectively, and notably cutting severe halitosis by 57.03% in the test group. Additionally, the Plaque Index (PLI) of the test and control group decreased by 54.55% and 8.38%, respectively, and there was a significant difference in PLI between the two groups after 7 days (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ε-PL, FP and domiphen demonstrated potent inhibitory and bactericidal effects against the tested oral pathogens, and the newly formulated mouthwash added with the combination exhibited anti-dental plaque and anti-halitosis properties in a clinical trial and was safe. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The randomized controlled clinical trial was registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2300073816, Date: 21/07/2023).

ß-Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits the bacterial growth and biofilm formation by supragingival plaque commensals.

ß-Glycyrrhetinic acid (BGA) is a natural antibacterial agent. Previous studies reported that BGA has antibacterial effects against several bacteria. This study evaluated the effects of BGA on the regulation of supragingival plaque bacteria. First, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of BGA against oral bacteria were measured. Next, the minimum concentrations for inhibition of biofilm formation were evaluated against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, possessing insoluble glucan synthesis abilities. The MICs of biofilm formation by these bacteria ranged from 1/8 to 2× MIC. Furthermore, the inhibition effects of BGA against the coaggregation of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus gordonii were evaluated. BGA at 32 or 64 µg/mL inhibited the coaggregation of these bacteria after a 30 min incubation. Lastly, the inhibition effects of BGA against human supragingival plaque bacteria were evaluated. Human supragingival plaque samples were obtained from 12 healthy donors. The inhibition effects of BGA against biofilm formation by these plaque bacteria were evaluated. Of 12 samples, the biofilm formation by 11 was significantly attenuated by 128-256 µg/mL of BGA. The number of colony forming units in these biofilms was also significantly attenuated. In conclusion, it was revealed that BGA inhibits the growth and biofilm formation of bacteria, furthermore, the same effect was confirmed with supragingival plaque bacteria. BGA is a good candidate for a natural agent that prevents the outbreak and progression of periodontal disease because it suppresses not only the growth and biofilm formation of bacteria, but also the coaggregation of P. gingivalis with plaque bacteria.

Comparative Microbial Profiles of Caries and Black Extrinsic Tooth Stain in Primary Dentition.

Extrinsic black tooth stain (BS) is a common oral disease associated with lower caries experience in preschool children, although the microbiotic features contributing to the low risk of caries in this group remain elusive. In this study, we aimed at identifying the dominant bacteria in dental plaque to indicate the incidence of caries in the primary dentition. Subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the clinical examination: group CF, children without pigment who had no caries lesions or restorations (n = 18); group CS, children who were diagnosed with severe early childhood caries (n = 17); and group BS, children with pigment (black extrinsic stain) without caries or restorations (n = 15). The total microbial genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing using an Illumina HiSeq platform. The differential dominant bacteria were determined using Wilcoxon rank-sum testing and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). Co-occurrence network analysis was performed using sparse correlations for compositional data, calculation and functional features were predicted using PICRUSt. Interestingly, our results showed that the relative abundance of Pseudopropionibacterium, Actinomyces, Rothia, and Cardiobacterium was from high to low and that of Porphyromonas was low to high in the BS, CF, and CS groups, consistent with the clinical incidence of caries in the 3 groups. Moreover, an increased level of Selenomonas_3, Fusobacterium, and Leptotrichia was associated with high caries prevalence. We found that the interactions among genera in the BS and CS plaque communities are less complex than those in the CF communities at the taxon level. Functional features, including cofactor and vitamin metabolism, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, and translation, significantly increased in caries plaque samples. These bacterial competition- and commensalism-induced changes in microbiota would result in a change of their symbiotic function, finally affecting the balance of oral microflora.

Comparative Analysis of Streptococcus Mutans and Streptococcus Sobrinus from Dental Plaque Samples of Nigerian Pre-school Children with and Without Caries.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood caries (ECC), despite being a preventable disease, remains prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. This study compared the occurrence of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in dental plaque from caries free and caries active Nigerian preschool children. METHODS: Structured questionnaire were administered to eighty (80) mothers to inquire about the sociodemographic characteristics of their children. Diagnosis of dental caries was made according to the diagnostic criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). Supragingival plaque sample collected from caries free children and children with dental caries (cavitated and non-cavitated lesions) using wooden toothpicks were cultured anaerobically. Samples were cultured in anaerobiosis and isolates obtained were identified based on molecular characterization performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS 25.0) was used for analysis. RESULTS: Streptococcus mutans was detected in 26(65.0%) children with early childhood caries, and S. sobrinus in 10(25.0%) children with early childhood caries. The presence of S. mutans and S. sobrinus occurring together was associated with a higher deft score. Occurrence of S. mutans did not show significant difference between children with ECC and caries free children (p=0.099), however, the proportion of children with ECC positive for S. sobrinus was significantly higher than that of caries free children (p= 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: S. mutans and S. sobrinus had a similar frequency of occurrence in children with ECC and caries free children. The occurrence of S. mutans alongside S. sobrinus in ECC is related to its severity.

CONTEXTE: La carie de la petite enfance (CPE), bien qu'étant une maladie évitable, reste prévalente en Afrique sub-saharienne. Cette étude a comparé la présence de Streptococcus mutans et Streptococcus sobrinus dans la plaque dentaire d'enfants nigérians d'âge préscolaire avec et sans caries. MÉTHODES: Des questionnaires structurés ont été administrés à quatrevingts (80) mères pour connaître les caractéristiques sociodémographiques de leurs enfants. Le diagnostic de la carie dentaire a été établi selon les critères de diagnostic de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS). Des échantillons de plaque supragingivale prélevés sur des enfants exempts de caries et des enfants atteints de caries dentaires (lésions cavitaires et non cavitaires) à l'aide de cure-dents en bois ont été mis en culture en anaérobiose. Les échantillons ont été mis en culture en anaérobiose. Les isolats obtenus ont été identifiés sur la base d'une caractérisation moléculaire effectuée par une analyse de réaction en chaîne par polymérase (PCR). Le progiciel statistique pour les sciences sociales (SPSS 25.0) a été utilisé pour l'analyse. RÉSULTATS: Streptococcus mutans a été détecté chez 26(65,0%) enfants atteints de caries de la petite enfance, et S. sobrinus chez 10(25,0%) enfants atteints de caries de la petite enfance. La présence simultanée de S. mutans et de S. sobrinus était associée à un score de déformation plus élevé. La présence de S. mutans n'a pas montré de différence significative entre les enfants atteints de CEC et les enfants indemnes de caries (p=0,099), cependant, la proportion d'enfants atteints de CEC positifs pour S. sobrinus était significativement plus élevée que celle des enfants indemnes de caries (p= 0,003). CONCLUSIONS: S. mutans et S. sobrinus ont une fréquence d'apparition similaire chez les enfants atteints de CEC et les enfants indemnes de caries. La présence de S. mutans et de S. sobrinus dans l'ECC est liée à sa gravité. MOTS CLÉS: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, caries de lapetite enfance, plaque supragingivale.

Long-Term Fluctuation of Oral Biofilm Microbiota following Different Dietary Phases.

Caries development is associated with shifts in the oral biofilm microbiota and primarily linked to frequent simple carbohydrate consumption. Different nutritional ingredients can either promote or prevent caries development. To investigate the effects of selected ingredients on the oral biofilm microbiota in situ, 11 study participants underwent 3-month-long dietary phases with intake of a regular diet (PI), additional frequent sucrose (PII), milk and yoghurt (PIII), and a diet rich in dietary fiber (PIV) and then returned to their regular diet (PV). Oral biofilm was sampled and analyzed applying 16S rRNA Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Additionally, the effect on the enamel was analyzed by measuring enamel surface roughness with laser scanning microscopy. The beta-diversity results showed that the microbiota in all the following phases differed significantly from PI and that the microbial community in PII was significantly different from all other phases. The abundance of the genus Streptococcus fluctuated over the course of the five phases, with a significant increase in PII (P = 0.01), decreasing in PIII and PIV (PIII and PIV versus PII: P < 0.00001) and increasing again toward PV. Other taxa showed various fluctuations of their abundances, with PV returning approximately to the levels of PI. In conclusion, while elevated sucrose consumption favored caries-promoting non-mutans streptococci, frequent milk and yoghurt intake caused a significant decrease in the abundance of these microbial taxa and in addition reduced enamel surface roughness. These results indicate that modulations of the oral biofilm microbiota can be attained even in adults through dietary changes and corresponding recommendations can be made for the prevention of caries development.IMPORTANCE Caries affects a large proportion of the population worldwide, resulting in high treatment costs. Its etiology can be ascribed to shifts of the microbiota in dental biofilms primarily driven by dietary factors. It is unclear how diet affects the microbial community of plaque biofilm in situ and whether it can be modulated to help prevent caries development. To address these issues, we analyzed changes of the in situ plaque microbiota following 3-month-long dietary changes involving elevated sucrose, dairy, and dietary fiber consumption over a period of 15 months. Applying high-throughput sequencing, we found non-mutans streptococci, a taxonomic group involved in the beginning stages toward microbial dysbiosis, in decreased abundance with elevated dairy and dietary fiber intake. Through analysis of the enamel surface roughness, these effects were confirmed. Therefore, correspondent dietary measures can be recommended for children as well as adults for caries prevention.

Oral microbial community typing of caries and pigment in primary dentition.

BACKGROUND: Black extrinsic discoloration in primary dentition is a common clinical and aesthetic problem that can co-occur with dental caries, the most common oral diseases in childhood. Although the role of bacteria in the formation of pigment and caries in primary dentition is important, their basic features still remain a further mystery. METHODS: Using targeted sequencing of the V1-V3 hypervariable regions of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, we obtained a dataset consisting of 831,381 sequences from 111 saliva samples and 110 supragingival plaque samples from 40 patients with pigment (black extrinsic stain), 20 with caries (obvious decay), and 25 with both pigment and caries and from 26 healthy individuals. We applied a Dirichlet multinomial mixture (DMM)-based community typing approach to investigate oral microbial community types. RESULTS: Our results revealed significant structural segregation of microbial communities, as indicated by the identification of two plaque community types (A and B) and three saliva community types (C-E). We found that the independent occurrence of the two plaque community types, A and B, was potentially associated with our oral diseases of interest. For type A, three co-occurring bacterial genus pairs could separately play a potential role in the formation of pigment (Leptotrichia and Fusobacterium), caries (unclassified Gemellales and Granulicatella), and mixed caries and pigment (Streptococcus and Mogibacterium). For type B, three co-occurring bacterial genera (unclassified Clostridiaceae, Peptostreptococcus, and Clostridium) were related to mixed pigment and caries. Three dominant bacterial genera (Selenomonas, Gemella, and Streptobacillus) were linked to the presence of caries. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that plaque-associated oral microbial communities could majorly contribute to the formation of pigment and caries in primary dentition and suggests potential clinical applications of monitoring oral microbiota as an indicator for disease diagnosis and prognosis.

Comparative Efficacy of a Soft Toothbrush with Tapered-tip Bristles and an ADA Reference Toothbrush on Established Gingivitis and Supragingival Plaque over a 12-Week Period.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the efficacy of a soft toothbrush with tapered-tip bristles (Test Toothbrush) and an ADA reference soft toothbrush (ADA Toothbrush) on established gingivitis and supragingival plaque over a 12-week period. METHODS: This randomized, single-center, examiner-blind, two-cell, parallel clinical research study assessed plaque removal by the comparison of pre- to- post-brushing after a single use, and again after six- and 12-weeks' use, using the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index, Turesky Modification. The study also assessed gingivitis after six weeks and 12 weeks using the Löe & Silness Gingival Index. Adult male and female subjects from the Central New Jersey, USA area refrained from all oral hygiene procedures for 24 hours. They reported to the study site after refraining from eating, drinking, and smoking for four hours. Subjects had the study procedure explained to them both orally and by written instructions. Subjects then gave written consent to participate before entry into the study. Following an examination for plaque (pre-brushing) and gingivitis (baseline), the subjects were randomized into two balanced groups, each group assigned to one of the two study toothbrushes. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth for one minute under supervision with their assigned toothbrush and a commercially available fluoride toothpaste (Colgate© Cavity Protection Toothpaste), after which they were again evaluated for plaque (post-brushing). Subjects were dismissed from the study site with their assigned toothbrush and toothpaste, and instructed to brush twice daily at home for the next 12 weeks. The subjects were instructed to brush for one minute during each tooth brushing. The subjects reported to the study site after six weeks and 12 weeks of product use, at which time they were evaluated for plaque and gingivitis. RESULTS: Seventy-one (71) subjects complied with the protocol and completed the clinical study. Compared to the ADA Toothbrush, the Test Toothbrush provided statistically significantly (p < 0.05) greater reductions of 71.1% in whole mouth plaque index scores, 43.8% in plaque severity index scores, and 81.3% in interproximal sites plaque scores after a single tooth brushing. After six weeks' use, the Test Toothbrush provided statistically significantly (p < 0.05) greater reductions of 700% in whole mouth gingival index scores, 700% in gingivitis severity index scores, and 400% in interproximal sites gingival scores compared to the ADA Toothbrush. Also after six weeks' use, the Test Toothbrush provided statistically significantly (p < 0.05) greater reductions of 188.9% in whole mouth plaque index scores, 165% in plaque severity index scores, and 203% in interproximal sites plaque scores compared to the ADA Toothbrush. After 12 weeks' use, the Test Toothbrush provided statistically significantly (p < 0.05) greater reductions of 266.7% in whole mouth gingival index scores, 300% in gingivitis severity index scores, and 250% in interproximal sites gingival scores compared to the ADA Toothbrush. Also after 12 weeks' use, the Test Toothbrush provided statistically significantly (p < 0.05) greater reductions of 158.1% in whole mouth plaque index scores, 143.5% in plaque severity index scores, and 145.4% in interproximal sites plaque scores compared to the ADA Toothbrush. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that a soft toothbrush with tapered-tip bristles provided a significantly greater reduction in supragingival plaque after a single tooth brushing, as well as after six and 12 weeks of twice-daily use, compared to the ADA Toothbrush. After six and 12 weeks of twice-daily use, it also provided a significantly greater reduction in gingivitis as compared to the ADA Toothbrush.

Supragingival microbiome variations and the influence of Candida albicans in adolescent orthodontic patients with gingivitis.

Introduction: Gingivitis is a prevalent complication in adolescents undergoing fixed orthodontic treatments. However, changes in the supragingival microbiome associated with gingivitis and the impact of Candida albicans remain elusive. Therefore, we investigated supragingival microbiome discrepancy and C. albicans colonization in adolescent orthodontic patients with gingivitis. Methods: Dental plaques were collected from 30 gingivitis patients and 24 healthy adolescents, all undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. The supragingival microbiome composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. C. albicans colonization was determined using fungal culture and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Our analysis revealed significantly heightened microbial diversity in the Gingivitis group. Notably, patients with gingivitis exhibited an enrichment of periodontal pathogens, such as Saccharibacteria (TM7) [G-1], Selenomonas, Actinomyces dentalis, and Selenomonas sputigena. Additionally, 33% of the gingivitis patients tested positive for C. albicans, exhibiting significantly elevated levels of absolute abundance, while all healthy patients tested negative. Significant differences in microbial composition were also noted between C. albicans-positive and -negative samples in the Gingivitis group. Conclusion: Significant disparities were observed in the supragingival microbiome of adolescent orthodontic patients with and without gingivitis. The presence of C. albicans in the supragingival plaque may alter the microbiome composition and potentially contribute to gingivitis pathogenesis.

• Adolescent patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, with and without gingivitis, show significant differences in their marginal supragingival plaque microbiomes. • Adolescent patients with gingivitis exhibit a significantly higher rate of Candida albicans colonization than healthy individuals. • The colonization of C. albicans alters the composition of the marginal supragingival plaque microbiome in patients with gingivitis.

Characterization and functional prediction of the dental plaque microbiome in patients with alveolar clefts.

Introduction: Alveolar cleft (AC) is a common congenital defect in people with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Alveolar bone grafting (ABG) is typically performed during adolescence, resulting in the fissure remaining in the mouth for a longer length of time. Patients with AC have a greater rate of oral diseases such as dental caries than the normal population, and the precise characteristics of the bacterial alterations caused by AC are unknown. Methods: We recruited a total of 87 subjects and collected dental plaque samples from AC adolescents (AAP), post-operative ABG adolescents (PAP), healthy control adolescents (CAP), AC young adults (AYP), post-operative ABG young adults (PYP), and healthy control young adults (CYP). The sequencing of 16S rRNA genes was performed. Results: The microbial composition of plaque from alveolar cleft patients differed significantly from age-matched healthy controls. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis revealed that AAP was enriched for Neisseria, Haemophilus, Fusobacterium, Rhodococcus, Aggregatibacter, Gemella, and Porphyromonas, whereas AYP was enriched for Capnocytophaga, Rhodococcus, and Actinomyces-f0332. There were phenotypic differences in facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and oxidative stress tolerance between the AYP group with longer alveolar cleft and the healthy control group according to Bugbase phenotypic predictions. Alveolar bone grafting did not alter the functional phenotype of alveolar cleft patients but reduced the number of differential genera between alveolar cleft patients and healthy controls at both ages. Conclusions: Our study systematically characterized the supragingival plaque microbiota of alveolar cleft patients, post-alveolar bone grafting patients, and matched healthy controls in two ages to gain a better understanding of plaque ecology and microbiology associated with alveolar clefts.

Effect of 15 days -6° head-down bed rest on microbial communities of supragingival plaque in young men.

Introduction: The microgravity environment astronauts experience during spaceflight can lead to an increased risk of oral diseases and possible changes in oral microecology. In this study, we aimed to assess changes in the microbial community of supragingival plaques to explore the effects of spaceflight microgravity environment on oral microecology. Methods: Sixteen healthy male volunteers were recruited, and supragingival plaque samples were collected under -6° head-down bed rest (HDBR) at five-time points: day 1 before HDBR; days 5, 10, and 15 of HDBR; and day 6 of recovery. Bacterial genomic DNA was sequenced using gene sequencing technology with 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid V3-V4 hypervariable region amplification and the obtained data were analyzed bioinformatically. Results: Alpha diversity analysis showed a significant increase in species richness in supragingival plaque samples on day 15 of HDBR compared with that at pre-HDBR. Beta diversity analysis revealed that the community composition differed among the groups. Species distribution showed that, compared with those at pre-HDBR, the relative abundances of Corynebacterium and Aggregatibacter increased significantly during HDBR, while those of Veillonella, Streptococcus, and Lautropia decreased significantly. Moreover, compared with those at pre-HDBR, the relative abundance of Leptotrichia increased significantly on day 6 of recovery, whereas the relative abundances of Porphyromonas and Streptococcus decreased significantly. Network analysis showed that the interaction relationship between the dominant genera became simpler during HDBR, and the positive and negative correlations between them showed dynamic changes. Phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states analysis showed that the amino acid metabolism function of plaque microorganisms was more enriched during HDBR. Discussion: In summary, in a 15-day simulated microgravity environment, the diversity, species distribution, interaction relationship, and metabolic function of the supragingival plaque microbial community changed, which suggests that microgravity may affect the oral microecosystem by changing the balance of supragingival plaque microbial communities and further leading to the occurrence and development of oral diseases.

Supragingival Plaque Microbiomes in a Diverse South Florida Population.

Trillions of microbes comprise the human oral cavity, collectively acting as another bodily organ. Although research is several decades into the field, there is no consensus on how oral microbiomes differ in underrepresented groups such as Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations living in the United States. Here, using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing, we examine the bacterial ecology of supragingival plaque from four quadrants of the mouth along with a tongue swab from 26 healthy volunteers from South Florida (131 total sequences after filtering). As an area known to be a unique amalgamation of diverse cultures from across the globe, South Florida allows us to address the question of how supragingival plaque microbes differ across ethnic groups, thus potentially impacting treatment regiments related to oral issues. We assess overall phylogenetic abundance, alpha and beta diversity, and linear discriminate analysis of participants based on sex, ethnicity, sampling location in the mouth, and gingival health. Within this cohort, we find the presence of common phyla such as Firmicutes and common genera such as Streptococcus. Additionally, we find significant differences across sampling locations, sex, and gingival health. This research stresses the need for the continued incorporation of diverse populations within human oral microbiome studies.

Streptococcus Mutans Serotype Analysis from Dental Plaque of Caries Patients in Banda Aceh Based on the GTF Gene.

Background: Dental caries is an oral disease that is widely suffered by the population of Aceh caused by Streptococcus mutans. S. mutans serotypes c and d are widely isolated in the human oral cavity. This research was focused on detecting the presence and variability of S. mutans in supragingival dental plaque of caries teenager and young adults' patients. Methods: Subjects involved in this study were patients who treated at the Rumah Sakit Gigi dan Mulut of Dentistry Faculty of Universitas Syiah Kuala. The approach used in this research was molecular microbiology technique. To determine the presence of S. mutans, supragingival plaque from caries patients was cultivated in TYS20B. The culture findings were utilized to detect the presence of bacteria using PCR. The primers utilized in the PCR were S. mutans specific primers, GTFB (517 bp) for S. mutans serotype c and GTFI (712 bp) for S. mutans serotype d. Results: Culture results on TYS20B media showed the growth of S. mutans colonies isolated from the supragingival plaque of research subjects. PCR results also revealed the presence of S. mutans in the supragingival plaques of caries patients, with the variability of S. mutans discovered to be a serotype c and a serotype d. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that S. mutans can be found in the supragingival plaques of caries patients with the serotypes c and d variability.

Composition of subgingival microbiota associated with periodontitis and diagnosis of malignancy-a cross-sectional study.

Periodontitis is one of the world's most prevalent infectious conditions, affecting between 25 and 40% of the adult population. It is a consequence of the complex interactions between periodontal pathogens and their products, which trigger the host inflammatory response, chronic inflammation, and tissue destruction. Chronic systemic low-grade inflammation is involved in numerous diseases, and it is also known that long-lasting inflammation and chronic infections predispose one to cancer. Here, we characterized and compared the subgingival microbiota associated with periodontitis and diagnosis of malignancy in a longitudinal 10-year follow-up study. The study was conducted on 50 patients with periodontitis and 40 periodontally healthy individuals. The recorded clinical oral health parameters were periodontal attachment loss (AL), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and plaque index (PI). Subgingival plaque was collected from each participant, from which DNA was extracted, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing performed. Cancer diagnoses data were collected between the years 2008-2018 from the Swedish Cancer Registry. The participants were categorized based on having cancer at the time of sample collection (CSC), having developed cancer later (DCL), and controls without any cancer. The most abundant phyla across all 90 samples were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Fusobacteria. At the genus level, Treponema, Fretibacterium, and Prevotella were significantly more abundant in samples of periodontitis patients compared to non-periodontitis individuals. With regard to samples of cancer patients, Corynebacterium and Streptococcus were more abundant in the CSC group; Prevotella were more abundant in the DCL group; and Rothia, Neisseria, and Capnocytophaga were more abundant in the control group. In the CSC group, we also found that the presence of periodontal inflammation, in terms of BOP, GI, and PLI, significantly correlated with species belonging to the genera Prevotella, Treponema, and Mycoplasma. Our results revealed that several subgingival genera were differentially enriched among the studied groups. These findings underscore the need for further research to fully understand the role that oral pathogens may play in the development of cancer.

Oral microbiota study of the patients after hospitalisation for COVID-19, considering selected dental indices and antibiotic therapy using the next generation sequencing method (NGS).

Background: Poor oral hygiene and the increased incidence and severity of periodontitis may exacerbate SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim was to evaluate the oral microbiota of 60 participants divided into groups: COVID-19 convalescents who received antibiotics during hospitalization (I), COVID-19 convalescents without antibiotic therapy (II) and healthy individuals (III). Materials and Methods: Dental examination was conducted, and oral health status was evaluated using selected dental indexes. Clinical samples (saliva, dorsal swabs, supragingival and subgingival plaque) were collected and used for metagenomic library to the next-generation sequencing (NGS) preparation. Results: Each of the clinical materials in particular groups of patients showed a statistically significant and quantitatively different bacterial composition. Patients from group I showed significantly worse oral health, reflected by higher average values of dental indexes and also a higher percentage of Veillonella, Tannerella, Capnocytophaga and Selenomonas genera in comparison to other groups. Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in the amount of Akkermansia type in both groups with COVID-19 was observed for all materials. Conclusions: The primary factor affecting the composition of oral microbiota was not the SARS-CoV-2 infection itself, but the use of antibiotic therapy. The increased percentage of pro-inflammatory pathogens observed in COVID-19 patients underscores the importance of preventing periodontal disease and improving oral hygiene in the future.

Effectiveness of the Lorodent Probiotic Lozenge in Reducing Plaque and Streptococcus mutans Levels in Orthodontic Patients: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial.

Orthodontic patients are at a significant risk for oral diseases due to increased plaque accumulation and oral bacterial dysbiosis. We aimed to determine the efficacy of the commercially available Lorodent Probiotic Complex at reducing plaque accumulation and Streptococcus mutans bacterial levels in adolescent orthodontic patients. Sixty adolescents undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment for a minimum of 6 months were recruited in a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial. They received either Lorodent probiotic lozenge (intervention, n = 30) or placebo lozenge (control, n = 30) orally every day for a 28-day administration period. Participants were assessed at four appointments (T1-T4) over a total of 56 days. Compliance and lozenge satisfaction were monitored. Saliva samples and supragingival plaques were collected for evaluation of S. mutans levels. Clinical assessment using a Plaque Index (PI) was used. Compliance with lozenge intake of all participants was over 90%. There was no significant change in the PI and composite PI scores in both placebo and probiotic groups at each time frame (all p > 0.05) or the relative S. mutans DNA levels in the saliva and plaque between the probiotic and placebo groups. The findings of high compliance and satisfaction with the probiotic lozenges combined with the study's rigorous design offer a baseline for subsequent testing of further potential probiotics (of varying formulations, concentrations), especially in adolescents.

Corynebacterium matruchotii: A Confirmed Calcifying Bacterium With a Potentially Important Role in the Supragingival Plaque.

Corynebacterium matruchotii is a reported calcifying bacterium that can usually be isolated from dental calculus and induce mineralization in vitro. In recent years, based on in situ hybridization probe and sequencing technology, researchers have discovered the central "pillar" role of C. matruchotii in supragingival plaque, and many studies focused on bacterial interactions in the biofilm structure dominated by C. matruchotii have been conducted. Besides, C. matruchotii seems to be an indicator of "caries-free" oral status according to imaging and sequencing studies. Therefore, in this review, we summarize C. matruchotii 's role in supragingival plaque based on the structure, interactions, and potential connections with oral diseases.

Characterizing the supragingival microbiome of healthy pregnant women.

The ecological characteristics and changes of the supragingival plaque microbial community during pregnancy are poorly understood. This study compared the microbial community characteristics of supragingival plaque in pregnant and non-pregnant women, with the aim of identifying specific microbial lineages and genera that may be associated with pregnancy. Thirty pregnant women were randomly selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University and divided into groups based on pregnancy trimester: first trimester (group P1, n=10, ≤12 weeks), second trimester (group P2, n=10, 13-27 weeks), and third trimester (group P3, n=10, 28-40 weeks). Ten healthy non-pregnant women (group N) were enrolled as the control group. Supragingival plaque samples of all subjects were collected and oral microbial composition was surveyed using a 16S rRNA gene sequencing approach. Statistical analysis was performed using a nonparametric test. The Chao 1 index of P3 was significantly lower compared with that of N, P1, and P2 (P<0.05). The Simpson indices of P2 and P3 were significantly higher than that of N (P<0.05). The Shannon index of P2 was significantly higher compared with that of N (P<0.05). Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) showed different clustering according to the pregnancy status. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed that the microbial species in group N that were significantly different from those of other groups were concentrated in the genus Neisseria. Species in P1 that were significantly different from those of other groups were concentrated in the genus Tannerella, while those in P2 and P3 were concentrated in the genus Leptotrichia. A total of 172 functional pathways were predicted for the bacterial communities in this study using PICRUSt2. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that most predicted functional pathways clustered together in N and P1 and in P2 and P3. LEfSe analysis revealed that 11 pathways played a discriminatory role in the four groups. This work suggests a potential role of pregnancy in the formation of supragingival plaque microbiota and indicates that physiological changes during pregnancy may convert supragingival plaque into entities that could cause harm, which may be a risk factor for maternal health. Furthermore, findings from the study provide a basis for etiological studies of pregnancy-associated oral ecological disorders.

From Mouth to Brain: Distinct Supragingival Plaque Microbiota Composition in Cerebral Palsy Children With Caries.

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) present a higher prevalence and severity of caries. Although researchers have studied multiple risk factors for caries in CP, the role of microorganisms in caries remains one of the critical factors worth exploring. In order to explore the differences in the supragingival plaque microbiota (SPM), supragingival plaque samples were collected from 55 CP children and 23 non-CP children for 16S rRNA sequencing. Distinct SPM composition was found between CP children with severe caries (CPCS) and non-CP children with severe caries (NCPCS). Further subanalysis was also done to identify if there were any differences in SPM among CP children with different degrees of caries, namely, caries-free (CPCF), mild to moderate caries (CPCM), and severe caries (CPCS). After selecting the top 15 most abundant species in all groups, we found that CPCS was significantly enriched for Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Catonella morbi, Alloprevotella tannerae, Parvimonas micra, Streptobacillus moniliformis, and Porphyromonas canoris compared to NCPCS. By comparing CPCF, CPCM, and CPCS, we found that the core caries-associated microbiota in CP children included Prevotella, Alloprevotella, Actinomyces, Catonella, and Streptobacillus, while Capnocytophaga and Campylobacter were dental health-associated microbiota in CP children. Alpha diversity analysis showed no significant difference between NCPCS and CPCS, but the latter had a much simpler core correlation network than that of NCPCS. Among CP children, CPCM and CPCF displayed lower bacterial diversity and simpler correlation networks than those of CPCS. In summary, the study showed the specific SPM characteristics of CPCS compared to NCPCS and revealed the core SPM in CP children with different severities of caries (CPCF, CPCM, and CPCS) and their correlation network. Hopefully, the study would shed light on better caries prevention and therapies for CP children. Findings from the current study offer exciting insights that warrant larger cohort studies inclusive of saliva and feces samples to investigate the potential pathogenic role of oral microbiota through the oral-gut-brain axis in CP children with caries.

Plaque Microbiome in Caries-Active and Caries-Free Teeth by Dentition.

OBJECTIVE: Describe associations between dental caries and dental plaque microbiome, by dentition and family membership. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis included 584 participants in the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia Cohort 1 (COHRA1). We sequenced the 16S ribosomal RNA gene (V4 region) of frozen supragingival plaque, collected 10 y prior, from 185 caries-active (enamel and dentinal) and 565 caries-free (no lesions) teeth using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequences were filtered using the R DADA2 package and assigned taxonomy using the Human Oral Microbiome Database. RESULTS: Microbiomes of caries-active and caries-free teeth were most similar in primary dentition and least similar in permanent dentition, but caries-active teeth were significantly less diverse than caries-free teeth in all dentition types. Streptococcus mutans had greater relative abundance in caries-active than caries-free teeth in all dentition types (P < 0.01), as did Veillonella dispar in primary and mixed dentition (P < 0.01). Fusobacterium sp. HMT 203 had significantly higher relative abundance in caries-free than caries-active teeth in all dentition types (P < 0.01). In a linear mixed model adjusted for confounders, the relative abundance of S. mutans was significantly greater in plaque from caries-active than caries-free teeth (P < 0.001), and the relative abundance of Fusobacterium sp. HMT 203 was significantly lower in plaque from caries-active than caries-free teeth (P < 0.001). Adding an effect for family improved model fit for Fusobacterium sp. HMT 203 but notS. mutans. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of supragingival plaque composition from caries-active and caries-free teeth changed with dentition, but S. mutans was positively and Fusobacterium sp. HMT 203 was negatively associated with caries regardless of dentition. There was a strong effect of family on the associations of Fusobacterium sp. HMT 203 with the caries-free state, but this was not true for S. mutans and the caries-active state. KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER STATEMENT: Patients' and dentists' concerns about transmission of bacteria within families causing caries should be tempered by the evidence that some shared bacteria may contribute to good oral health.