THE EFFECT OF DIETARY COMPONENTS ON THE ORAL MICROBIOME COMPOSITION IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

Dental caries is a microbe-mediated disease, and immature permanent teeth are more susceptible to caries. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between diet, caries and oral microbiome in school-aged children and adolescents. Material and method: 25 healthy school-aged children and adolescents filled in a questionnaire regarding food and drink consumption with recognized cariogenic and erosive potential. For each subject, an oral examination was performed, and a sample of dental plaque was collected. Gram staining was used to identify the bacteria strains. Results. The Gram-positive cocci are the predominant bacteria strain in this group. There are changes in diet and oral flora with advancing age. The consumption of sweetened and carbonated drinks is increasing. The number of Gram-positive cocci and bacilli is increasing, while the number of Gram-negative cocci and bacilli is decreasing. Conclusions. This study has found a positive association between caries and the daily consumption of sweets, sweetened drinks, and carbonated drinks. Artificial sweeteners do not have a protective effect against caries in the condition of daily consumption of foods with cariogenic and erosive potential.

Keywords

• dietary components
• caries
• oral microbiome
• school-aged children
• adolescents