Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dental plaque accumulation plays a key role in caries development. This study explored the relationships between dental caries experience, the bacterial composition of dental plaque, and oral health behaviors in children with mixed dentition and fair-to-good oral hygiene, as assessed by the Silness and Löe Plaque Index (PlI). METHODS: This study included 54 children (6-12 years, mean ± SD = 8 ± 2) from Greater Poland Province. The participants' parents completed a questionnaire on diet, oral hygiene, and dental care. Two calibrated pediatric dentists performed the dental examinations. Supragingival plaque samples were collected from intact enamel, and bacterial detection was conducted via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Among the 54 children, 39 had a history of dental caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System - Decayed, Missing, and Filled teeth index for permanent and primary dentition, ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0), 15 were caries-free, and 37 had at least one cavitated lesion, restoration, or extraction (DMF/dmf > 0). Streptococcus mutans was significantly more prevalent in children with ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.026) and DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.038). Parascardovia denticolens was significantly more prevalent in children with DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.027). Children harboring S. mutans and P. denticolens had significantly higher PlI scores (median: 0.5) than did those without these bacteria (median: 0.2) (p = 0.028, p = 0.014). The median intake of cariogenic beverages was greater in children with ICDAS-DMF/dmf > 0 (p = 0.038). A lack of dental visits in the past 12 months was associated with detectable S. mutans (p = 0.021) and Actinomyces viscosus (p = 0.041). Bottle feeding beyond 18 months correlated with the presence of Scardovia wiggsiae (p = 0.028). Nighttime meals or drinks were associated with dental caries experience (p = 0.046) and S. mutans detection (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The strong association of S. mutans with caries, along with the frequent detection of P. denticolens in children with cavitated lesions, highlights the importance of these species as potential targets for preventive strategies. The association of S. wiggsiae with prolonged bottle-feeding might suggest that early feeding behaviors influence microbial colonization. In children with fair-to-good oral hygiene, parental education on nighttime feeding, limiting cariogenic beverages, and promoting regular dental visits remain crucial for caries prevention.