The prevalence of dental caries and periodontal treatment needs in an institutionalized population with Down syndrome was examined and the relationship between caries prevalence, salivary pH, and salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans was studied. Thirty-two children with Down syndrome, aged 8 to 13, were compared with two control groups of similar age ranges: healthy children and non-Down mentally retarded (MR) children living in the same institution as the Down syndrome population. The gender ratio mixtures in each group also matched the study sample. Caries experience as indicated by decayed, missing, and filled surfaces (DMF-S) showed significantly lower mean scores for the Down syndrome group compared with both control groups. A similar pattern was found when evaluating the mean numbers of decayed surfaces. Streptococcus mutans counts, expressed as number of colony-forming units on mitis salivarius agar plates among the Down syndrome group, were the lowest, although not statistically significant compared with the counts of the healthy children. Both groups had bacterial counts which were significantly lower than those of the MR group. Significant differences between the two institutionalized groups and the healthy group were recorded for the salivary pH levels. The periodontal treatment needs as evaluated by the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs showed significant difference between the MR group versus both the healthy population and the Down syndrome group. On the whole, 84% of the Down syndrome children were cariesfree.

Dental caries is a chronic infectious disease caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque (biofilm) on tooth surfaces. Antibacterial agents, in addition to other preventive measures, can control dental plaque accumulation. Amine fluorides (AmF) are known anticaries agents for over 30 years. The purpose of our study was to assess the adsorption and desorption of AmF to experimental dental biofilm and to evaluate the effect of AmF on Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 and glucosyltransferase (GTF) activity in experimental dental biofilms. The experimental plaque model used in this study consists of hydroxyapatite beads coated with human saliva (sHA), followed by adsorption of S. sobrinus and synthesis of in situ polysaccharides. Our results show that the viability of S. sobrinus in biofilm decreased as the concentration of AmF and chlorhexidine (CHX) increased. The concentration of AmF and CHX required to kill S. sobrinus adherent to sHA is about 100 times greater than the concentration required to kill the same amount of planktonic bacteria. Adsorption of AmF to surfaces was more than 90% and the desorption of AmF from our experimental model was limited. Pre–adsorption of AmF on the surface increased adhesion of S. sobrinus but also resulted in surface killing of the adsorbed bacteria. At low concentrations AmF increased GTF activity in solution by about 10%, but at concentrations above 0.1 mM it inhibited GTF activity. Inhibition of GTF on the surface required about 100 times more AmF than in solution. Our results show that AmF retains its anticariogenic effects in solution and in biofilm systems.

No abstract

Twice daily use of a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice may enhance dental implant maintenance by reducing dental plaque and GI.

No abstract