Correlation of Streptococcus mutans count in Mother-child Pair of Working and Nonworking Mothers: A Cross-sectional Study

Evaluation of Mode of Delivery and Various Postnatal Factors on Acquisition of Oral Streptococcus mutans in Infants: A Prospective Study

Aim of the study

The objective of the current study is to assess and establish a relationship between the mode of delivery and postnatal factors in the early colonization of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in infants' oral cavities.

Materials and methods

The primary goal of the investigation is to assess and compare the oral microflora of newborns immediately after birth and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age in babies born by normal vaginal delivery and lower segment cesarean section and divided into (group III) and (group V), respectively. Around 50 mother-baby pairs in total had their swab samples collected for the identification of S. mutans and were monitored for a year. The role of other postnatal factors in the acquisition of S. mutans in infants was also evaluated.

Results

Data analysis showed that different postnatal factors like feeding patterns, oral hygiene practices, and socioeconomic factors affected the infant's oral cavity's initial colonization by S. mutans.

Conclusion

Infants' first exposure to oral S. mutans depends on the delivery method and various postnatal factors.

How to cite this article

Sharma N, Bhargava N, Boruah B, et al. Evaluation of Mode of Delivery and Various Postnatal Factors on Acquisition of Oral Streptococcus mutans in Infants: A Prospective Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(5):663-666.

Early childhood caries prevention: non-dental health professionals' viewpoint

BACKGROUND

Dental caries can develop early in life and have harmful consequences. Objective: To examine non-dental practitioners' knowledge of early childhood caries (ECC).

METHODS

A questionnaire on oral health and caries knowledge was emailed to five types of health professional who work with young children: paediatricians, GPs, midwives, paediatric nurses and paediatric healthcare assistants. Questions concerned: when a child should first visit a dentist; at what age toothbrushing should start; aetiopathogenic factors; early diagnosis; and the effect of breastfeeding.

RESULTS

494 health professionals (79 paediatricians, 59 physicians, 217 midwives, 92 paediatric nurses and 47 paediatric healthcare assistants) participated. Although most (89.86%) discussed oral health with parents, responses on when a child should first see a dentist and when toothbrushing should start varied. Almost half of respondents said they could diagnose caries but not all were confident in this. Aetiological factors in ECC mentioned included oral hygiene, bottle feeding, sugar intake, genetics and a lack of fluoride.

CONCLUSION

Non-dental practitioners lack knowledge about ECC, so cannot help prevent it. Initiatives including interprofessional training would improve their knowledge of oral health in early childhood.

Microbial Profile and Dental Caries in Cleft Lip and Palate Babies Between 0 and 3 Years Old

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine the microbiological changes in newborn babies with cleft lip palate from birth up to age 3 and to correlate them with their caries levels and mothers’ microbiological data and to compare with normal infants.

Basic Research Design:

Prospective.

Settings:

Marmara University, Faculty of Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, and Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Education and Research Hospital New Born Clinic.

Patients/Participants:

Cleft lip palate (n = 21) and healthy (n = 13) newborns and their mothers.

Material and Methods:

Intraoral samples were taken from babies in each group at least 3 times over the 3 years. Saliva samples of the mothers were collected just after the birth of the babies and examined microbiologically. Dental caries was noted as either present or absent.

Results:

The most frequent microorganisms were candida, found at birth (n = 9, 42%) in cleft palate with or without cleft lip (CP±L) group. The number of babies infected with Lactobacilli were found to be significantly higher in the CP±L group than in the control group at birth ( P = .029) and after eruption of the first primary tooth ( P = .030). Mutans Streptococci were found in 10% of babies with CP±L at birth. Initial caries was identified in 20% of the babies with an oral cleft compared with 0% of the controls after eruption of the first primary incisors.

Conclusion:

The results show that the CP±L babies must be considered as a group with an increased caries risk.