Summary
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of lead (Pb) on growth of bacterial species related to dental diseases in vitro.
Methods and Results: The effects of lead acetate on representative species of the oral flora were examined at 0·1–10 mmol l−1 and compared with the effect of silver nitrate and ferrous sulfate. The minimal inhibitory concentration of lead acetate was between 0·15 and 5 mmol l−1 for the bacterial strains tested. The minimal bactericidal concentration of lead acetate for most oral species was detected in the range of 5–10 mmol l−1. Silver nitrate at a concentration of 1·25 mmol l−1 was sufficient to exhibit antibacterial activity against almost all bacteria tested. Ferrous sulfate had the lowest effect.
Conclusions: The study indicated a general antimicrobial effect of lead on oral bacterial species in the range of 0·15–10 mmol l−1. The toxicity of silver nitrate was the highest, whereas that of ferrous sulfate was the lowest. Gram‐positive species had a tendency to be less susceptible for metals than Gram‐negatives.
Significance and Impact of the Study: The study shows that it is possible that microbiological changes may occur in the dental plaque in children because of toxic exposure of environmental lead.
In a cross-sectional design, 292 schoolchildren living around a shipyard area, known to be contaminated with lead from shipyard industry, were examined to verify the association between lead exposure and periodontal health. The probing pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing, plaque and calculus, and the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) in subgingival crevices were recorded. Gingival inflammation was the most common (98%) among children in the area. No significant difference in gingival inflammation was observed between high blood lead (PbB) and low PbB children. The prevalence rate of probing PD of ≥5 mm was 14%. The high PbB group showed more deep pockets at tooth 16 (upper right first permanent molar) and tooth 46 (lower right first permanent molar) than the low PbB group. The odds ratios (ORs) for having probing PD ≥5 mm after adjusting for other factors were 3.63 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-10.61; p = 0.02) for tooth 16 and 3.93 (95% CI, 1.18-13.00; p = 0.02) for tooth 46. The presence of Aa was observed in 17% of the children and it significantly increased in high PbB compared with low PbB children at tooth 46 (OR = 5.53, 95% CI: 1.68-18.15; p = 0.005). This study may suggest no association between lead exposure and gingival inflammation, yet there was the involvement of deeper periodontal tissue in lead-exposed children.
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