Predominance of non-Streptococcus mutans bacteria in dental biofilm and its relation to caries progression

Abstract

This study aims to assess differences in biofilm bacterial composition between patients with low and high caries. Patients without a medical problem and with no history of antibiotic use, mouth wash or fluoride application in the previous 3 months were recruited. Caries was recorded at cavitation level; score was calculated by a national mean (dmft of 4.8 and DMFT of 2.7). Pooled biofilm samples were collected from mesial, distal, buccal, lingual, and occlusal surfaces. Based on caries experience, individuals were classified into low and high caries and both groups were compared regarding bacteria identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the isolates was performed. A total of twenty seven randomly selected samples with low ( n = 13) and high ( n = 14) caries. Identification of oral bacteria was performed using 16S rRNA sequence, Rothia mucilaginosa and R. aeria were identified in low caries individuals, while R. dentocariosa was detected in high caries individuals. Two Streptococcus spp. were identified only in low caries S. salivarius and S. gordonii whereas S. sanguinis, S. mitis, S. sinensis, S. rubneri, S. vestibularis, S. cristatus and S. massiliensis were identified only in individuals with high caries. This study revealed the absence of R. mucilaginosa in the high caries subjects and its coexistence with the low caries subjects. Streptococcus mutans was insignificant contributor of caries among samples, while, Streptococcus sanguinis was the main constituent of high caries Saudi patients.

The Crosstalk Between Saliva Bacteria and Fungi in Early Childhood Caries

“…Further Spearman correlation analysis substantiated the significant negative correlation between Fusobacterium and Neocosmospora , indicating their opposite effects in maintaining CF condition or developing caries. In addition, although a number of studies have verified the promoting effects of S. mutans in ECC progression ( Momeni et al., 2020 ; Xiao et al., 2020 ; Baker et al., 2021 ), Streptococcus was found to be a characteristic in the CF sample and, meanwhile, negatively related to carious indexes in the present study, indicating the complicated roles that the Streptococcus species played in caries risk, and the intricate prevalence of Streptococcus species has also been reported by AlEraky et al. (2021) .…”

Saliva microbiome alterations in dental fluorosis population

“…Several studies showed that Streptococcus sanguinis ( S. sanguinis ) may play an antagonistic role against S. mutans colonization and is usually associated with tooth surfaces free of caries [ 43–45 ]. However, recently, Al Eraky DM et al reported that S. mutans was insignificant contributor to caries among Saudi patients, with caries mostly caused by S. sanguinis [ 46 ]. Here, significant decreases in the abundance of these species were observed in the DF group, consistent with a lower risk of future caries development.…”

Potential Effect of Giant Freshwater Prawn Shell Nano Chitosan in Inhibiting the Development of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguinis Biofilm In Vitro

“…However, recent fndings prove otherwise. A study by AlEraky et al [18] showed that S. sanguinis has been identifed in patients with high levels of caries. Another study by Meriç et al [19] reported similar frequencies of S. mutans and S. sanguinis in groups of caries-and cariesfree subjects.…”