Identificación microbiológica de tres nichos orales y su asociación con las características clínicas y sociodemográficas de pacientes con caries dental. Estudio Piloto.

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is a disease that affects a large percentage of the population. Its origin is associated with the presence of microorganisms that inhabit oral biofilms that metabolize sugars from the diet into organic acids that produce demineralization of tooth surfaces. Understanding the variations in the composition of these biofilms allows us to develop better strategies for the prevention of pathology and the control of its progression. Objective: To evaluate the microbiological composition present in three niches of the oral cavity of patients with dental caries and their relation with clinical and sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 28 adult patients who attended the clinics at the Dental School of the Santo Tomás University, divided into two groups of 14 participants according to the presence or absence of active cavitational caries (moderate or severe). Data on sociodemographic aspects, food frequency, habits associated with the oral cavity and DMF index were recorded. Collection of saliva, supragingival biofilm and carious dentin samples. Microbiological culture on agar plates for four microbial groups, CFU counting and macro-microscopic identification. Statistical analysis in STATA 14. Results: Greater presence of mutans streptococci in saliva vs dentin (p=0.0078) in caries group and in saliva vs biofilm (p<0.0001) in healthy group, Lactobacillus spp. in saliva vs biofilm (p=0.0166) in healthy group, Candida spp. in saliva vs biofilm (p=0.0887) in caries group. Greater presence of streptococci in participants with good oral hygiene in saliva (p=0.0308) and biofilm (p=0.0051) and with active cavitated caries lesions in saliva (p=0.0001) and biofilm (p=0.0149 ), Lactobacillus spp. in healthy participants in saliva (p=0.0002) and biofilm (p=0.0003), Candida spp. in participants who consume more than 4 meals a day in saliva (p=0.0156). Moderate positive correlation for Candida spp. in saliva (p=0.0208; r=0.4347). Presence of Enterococcus spp. too low to perform analysis. Conclusions: There is variation in the microbiological composition of the three anatomical niches between health and the varying stages of disease.