Examination of the oral microflora of newborns and their mothers and evaluation of their interactions

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the oral microflora of newborns and their mothers in terms of the presence of S. mutans and lactobacilli and to investigate their interactions with each other. Method: Our study was started by taking the saliva sample from 60 babies and their mothers who did not exceed 48 hours from birth. The 6th month follow up period 20 patients were excluded from the study. The saliva samples were taken from 40 mothers and their babies again at 6th month and they were determined the amount of S. mutans and lactobacilli in both stages of this study. qRT-PCR method was used to determine the amount of S. mutans and lactobacilli in saliva. S. mutans and lactobacilli levels obtained in the first stage and in the second stage were compared between mothers and babies. In addition, factors such as delivery method, birth time etc. and maternal oral hygiene habits, DMFT index, etc. were evaluated for the effects of infants on S. mutans and lactobacilli levels. Results: A significant difference was found between the numbers of S. mutans and lactobacilli obtained from saliva samples collected in both stages of infants and mothers (p <0.05). It was detected that the number of S. mutans and lactobacilli in the saliva samples collected in the second stage of infants increased significantly compared to those in the first stage (p <0.05). In the intraoral examination of the babies during the sixth month follow-up, it was observed that 16 of the infants had erupted tooth. There was a statistically significant relationship between the presence of tooth and the increase in S. mutans and lactobacilli in the evaluations. There was no significant relationship between sociodemographic characteristics of mothers and S. mutans of infants (p>0,05). Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between the baby's factors such as delivery type, birth weight etc., and oral colonization of S.mutans and lactobacilli. Conclusion: S.mutans and lactobacilli, which cause caries lesion, can colonize very early period in infants. Oral health and oral hygiene trainings within the scope of protective practices in pediatric dentistry should start as of mothers' pregnancy. In addition, for children, the first child dentist examination, should start following the first tooth emerge and should be followed with regular controls. Key words: newborn, s. mutans, laktobasil, real-time PCR