Association Between Early Childhood Caries and Colonization with Genotypes From Mothers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate Streptococcus mutans genotypes (GT) between mother and child (M-C) in a high caries risk cohort to explore the association with early childhood caries (ECC).

Methods: Sixty-nine infants (each approximately one year old) had periodic oral examinations (dmfs) and microbial samples collected from dental plaque, saliva, and other oral surfaces. Their mothers had an examination and plaque collected.

The pH of beverages in the United States.

Background: Dental erosion is the chemical dissolution of tooth structure in the absence of bacteria when the environment is acidic (pH < 4.0). Research indicates that low pH is the primary determinant of a beverage's erosive potential.

Isolation of Raoultella planticola from refillable antimicrobial liquid soap dispensers in a dental setting.

Background: Liquid antimicrobial soaps are commonly used in the dental health care setting for hand washing to minimize the potential spread of infectious agents to health care workers and patients. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate possible bacterial contamination of antimicrobial liquid soap dispensers located in 2 institutional comprehensive dental care clinics.

Methods: Fourteen soap dispensers and 16 original stock containers were sampled.

Mutans streptococci enumeration and genotype selection using different bacitracin-containing media.

The primary etiological agents associated with dental caries include the mutans streptococci (MS) comprised of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus. The effective cultivation and isolation of MS are necessary for the study of MS, including their proper clinical assessment in the epidemiological study of dental caries. Several selective media have been developed for the isolation, enumeration, and characterization of MS.

Characteristics of Streptococcus mutans genotypes and dental caries in children.

This longitudinal cohort study evaluated the diversity, commonality, and stability of Streptococcus mutans genotypes associated with dental caries history. Sixty-seven 5- and 6-yr-old children, considered as being at high caries risk, had plaque collected from baseline through 36 months for S. mutans isolation and genotyping using repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (4,392 total isolates).

Evaluation of in-office dental unit waterline testing.

In-office dental unit waterline (DUWL) testing systems are commercially available for monitoring DUWL bacteria. The current study compared Aquasafe, Petrifilm, and Heterotrophic Plate Count Sampler (HPCS) with R2A plating methodology, considered the gold standard for enumerating heterotrophic bacteria in potable water. Samples were collected from 20 dental units.

A randomized study of sodium hypochlorite versus formocresol pulpotomy in primary molar teeth.

Background: Alternatives to vital pulpotomy treatment in primary teeth are being sought because of the high formaldehyde content of traditional formocresol (FC) pulpotomy medicaments.

Aim: The aim was to compare the clinical and radiographic success of vital pulpotomy treatment in primary molars using 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) versus a 1:5 dilution of Buckley's FC.

Design: Pulpotomies were performed in primary molars of healthy children between 3 and 10 years old.

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for enumeration of Streptococcus mutans from oral samples.

This study compared SYBR Green real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) with standard plate counting for the enumeration of Streptococcus mutans in oral samples. Oral samples (n = 710) were collected from high-caries-risk children for quantification of S. mutans by qPCR using primer pairs.

Responses of human neutrophils to nicotine and/or Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Background: Tobacco smoking is considered a major modifiable risk factor for periodontal disease. Nicotine is the addictive ingredient in tobacco and has been shown to affect multiple cellular processes. Neutrophils are the first line of host defense and are critical cells in the maintenance of periodontal health through their role in the control of bacteria, but they can also contribute to the progression of periodontal disease by the production and release of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

The Caries Phenomenon: A Timeline from Witchcraft and Superstition to Opinions of the 1500s to Today's Science.

This historical treatise follows the documented timeline of tooth decay into today's understanding, treatment, and teaching of caries biology. Caries has been attributed to many different causes for several millennia, however, only since the late 1900s has research revealed its complex multifactorial nature. European writers of the 1600s to 1700s held views that general health, mechanical injuries, trauma, and sudden temperature changes all caused caries-holding a common belief that decay was due to chemical agents, faulty saliva, and food particles.

Maternal transmission of mutans Streptococci in severe-early childhood caries.

Purpose: This study utilized multiple genetic analyses to detect evidence of maternal MS acquisition in children with S-ECC.

Methods: Twenty-seven mother/child pairs were selected from children with 5-ECC preceding dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia. Plaque samples were collected from the mother, child, and the child's carious lesion.

Pucker up: the effects of sour candy on your patients' oral health. A review of the dental erosion literature and pH values for popular candies.

Although the harmful effects of acidic beverages on teeth have been well established and communicated through a variety of clinical articles and public education pieces, the Minnesota Dental Association's Public Relations Committee has determined that the new and emerging concern of the erosive effects of sour candy on the dentition should be brought to the attention of dental professionals and the public alike. Furthermore, since the serious irreversible damage caused by erosion is difficult and costly to treat, early detection and the initiation of preventive strategies are paramount to minimizing long-term consequences. The following article should serve as a review of the general topic of erosion, and should provide additional information about the increasing prevalence of erosion and the specific risks of sour candy consumption.

Comparison of preparation design and material thickness on microbial leakage through Cavit using a tooth model system.

Few studies have compared Cavit thickness and access design as factors in microbial leakage. The present study used an acrylic tooth model to measure leakage of Streptococcus mutans. Pilot studies confirming the sterility of Cavit showed it will inhibit microbial growth for 2 days.

Salivary Actinomyces naeslundii genospecies 2 and Lactobacillus casei levels predict pregnancy outcomes.

Background: Gravida's poor periodontal health is emerging as a modifiable independent risk factor for preterm delivery and low birth weight.

Methods: To test the hypothesis that oral bacteria other than periodontal pathogens are also associated with pregnancy outcomes, specific oral bacterial levels measured during pregnancy were evaluated in relation to gestational age and birth weight while controlling for demographic, medical, and dental variables. The study population consisted of 297 predominantly African- American women who were pregnant for the first time.