Variations in the predominant cultivable microflora of dental plaque at defined subsites on approximal tooth surfaces in children

Babaahmady, K G; Marsh, Phillip; Challacombe, Stephen; Newman, H. N.

doi:10.1016/s0003-9969(96)00116-1

Cited by 17 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 48 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast, the MS S. downei HG594 represented only a small fraction of the biofilm, which is also typical for early dental plaque [25], [48] and might be explained by the constant pH of 7 in the growth medium [4]. S. oralis is a frequent isolate from both young and mature plaque [26], [27], [49], but it was outcompeted in our model and accounted for less than 0.3% of the biovolume. While all streptococcal species were distributed uniformly across the different layers of the biofilms, A. naeslundii AK6 was predominantly detected at the biofilm base, where it formed branched, sometimes spider-like colonies (Figure 1E, Video S1).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

pH Landscapes in a Novel Five-Species Model of Early Dental Biofilm

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundDespite continued preventive efforts, dental caries remains the most common disease of man. Organic acids produced by microorganisms in dental plaque play a crucial role for the development of carious lesions. During early stages of the pathogenetic process, repeated pH drops induce changes in microbial composition and favour the establishment of an increasingly acidogenic and aciduric microflora. The complex structure of dental biofilms, allowing for a multitude of different ecological environments in close proximity, remains largely unexplored. In this study, we designed a laboratory biofilm model that mimics the bacterial community present during early acidogenic stages of the caries process. We then performed a time-resolved microscopic analysis of the extracellular pH landscape at the interface between bacterial biofilm and underlying substrate.Methodology/Principal FindingsStrains of Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus downei and Actinomyces naeslundii were employed in the model. Biofilms were grown in flow channels that allowed for direct microscopic analysis of the biofilms in situ. The architecture and composition of the biofilms were analysed using fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Both biofilm structure and composition were highly reproducible and showed similarity to in-vivo-grown dental plaque. We employed the pH-sensitive ratiometric probe C-SNARF-4 to perform real-time microscopic analyses of the biofilm pH in response to salivary solutions containing glucose. Anaerobic glycolysis in the model biofilms created a mildly acidic environment. Decrease in pH in different areas of the biofilms varied, and distinct extracellular pH-microenvironments were conserved over several hours.Conclusions/SignificanceThe designed biofilm model represents a promising tool to determine the effect of potential therapeutic agents on biofilm growth, composition and extracellular pH. Ratiometric pH analysis using C-SNARF-4 gives detailed insight into the pH landscape of living biofilms and contributes to our general understanding of metabolic processes in in-vivo-grown bacterial biofilms.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

pH Landscapes in a Novel Five-Species Model of Early Dental Biofilm

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Incipient caries in 4-to 9-year-old children was associated with S. mutans, Lactobacillus, and Actinomyces (Boyar and Bowden, 1985). Another study of school-aged children associated S. sobrinus, S. oralis, A. israelii, and a Lactobacillus species with caries (Babaahmady et al, 1997). In some studies, S. sobrinus was not detected in association with caries (Matee et al, 1992), whereas in other studies, S. sobrinus detection indicated a higher risk of smooth-surface than did S. mutans (Hirose et al, 1993).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

The Microbiota of Young Children from Tooth and Tongue Samples

Tanner¹,

Milgrom²,

Kent³

et al. 2002

Journal of Dental Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study determined the frequency with which 38 microbial species were detected in 171 randomly selected children from 6 to 36 months of age. Children were sampled and dental caries measured. Oral samples were assayed by means of a checkerboard DNA probe assay. The detection frequencies from tongue samples in children under 18 mos were: S. mutans 70%, S. sobrinus 72%, P. gingivalis 23%, B. forsythus 11%, and A. actinomycetemcomitans 30%, with similar detection frequencies in children over 18 mos. Thus, S. mutans and the periodontal pathogens, P. gingivalis and B. forsythus, were detected even in the youngest subjects. Species associated with caries included S. mutans (children ages 18-36 mos) and A. israelii (children ages < 18 mos), the latter species possibly reflecting increased plaque in children with caries. Species detection from tooth and tongue samples was highly associated, with most species detected more frequently from tongue than from tooth samples in children under 18 mos, suggesting that the tongue was a potential microbial reservoir.

show abstract

“…Studies have indicated the association of the Actinomyces spp. together with lactobacilli and S. mutans with caries initiation in 4‐ to 9‐year‐old children 2 as well as with caries development in school‐aged children 22 . Lactobacilli have been found mostly together with S. mutans in plaque and saliva because they have poor adhesive capability and similar dietary needs as S. mutans 23,24 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%