Evaluation of the etiology of dental caries observed in early age

This study aims to investigate oral-dental health of pre-school children with SECC, the factors causing dental caries and the cariogenic bacteria species in order to develop treatment strategies and to eliminate the risk factors of dental caries. Children who haven't any systemic disease and haven't used antibiotics with in the last month were included in this study. When the group of children with caries was identified, the AAPD's criteria of the ECC were considered. According to these criteria, a total of 37 children (mean age 4,81±1,05) 19 girls and 18 boys, were determined as the study group. Of the same age groups, 37 caries free children (mean age 4,03±1,01) 16 girls and 21 boys were identified as the control group. Children's oral and dental health examinations were performed in the dental chair by using mirror and sond under adequate light. Values for the caries index, plaque index, and modified gingival index were recorded for children in the study groups and control groups. It was also requested that parents respond to questions about factors such as nutrition, socioeconomic status, fluoridation, treatment history, oral health and oral hygiene habits in the questionnaire. Plaque and saliva samples were taken from each of the children with caries and caries free children groups. Taken saliva and plaque samples which were in bottles and containing 2 ml liquid thioglycollate medium, were transferred to the Microbiology Culture Laboratory of the Dicle University Medical Faculty within 4 hours. After thioglycollate medium were vortexed for 10-20 seconds, samples were cultured on MRS (Man-Rogosa-Sharpe) agar and Brucella agar media. The type and species level of each column in different breeding morphology was done by Matrixmediated Laser Desorption / Ionization Flight Time Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) method. Symptoms were analyzed by independent sample t test and Mann Whitney U test, Chi-square test, Fisher Exact test and Kolmogorov Smirnov test. According to oral examinations, dmft, dmfs, PI and MDI values of the children in the study group were calculated as 7.49 ± 3.033, 11.43 ± 5.942, 0.438 ± 0.370 and 0.06 ± 0.157. L. Fermentum, L. Salivarius, L. Rhamnosus, S. Mutans positivity rates were found to be significantly higher in the study group of plaque samples obtained as a result of Maldi-tof MS test than the control group. On the other hand, in saliva samples obtained as a result of Maldi-tof MS examination, L. Fermentum, S. Mutans and L. Salivarius were found to be statistically significantly related to ECC. In the questionnaire surveys, low parental education level, low monthly income, presence of night nutrition habits, long bottle feeding, sugar content of consumed foods between meals, high consumption frequency of sugary foods and beverages, lack of brushing habits, found associated with ECC. In conclusion, it was determined that L. Fermentum, L. Salivarius, L. Rhamnosus and S. Mutans were bacterial strains associated with ECC and that factors such as nutrition, oral hygiene, income status, education level were also influential on ECC.