Acquisition Of Streptococcus Mutans in Oral Cavity Of Infants In Predentate Period And Its Association With Mode Of Delivery- An Original Research

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Raj U, Chachra S, Kumar N, Sharma P, Dahiya S, Kashav N,

Abstract

Background: Early initial acquisition of S.mutans has become particularly relevant as a predictive marker of future caries activity in primary and permanent dentition as it is seen that S.mutans colonization may occur prior to tooth eruption.


Aim: This study aims at determining and comparing the presence of S.mutans in predentate infants born through Normal delivery and Caesarean section and to correlate their counts at birth and 3 months.


Methodology: A total of 154 infants fulfilling the inclusion exclusion criteria were selected and designated as sample. After collecting both the saliva samples using a sterile swab stick from the dorsum of tongue and vestibular mucosa at the age of ≤ 1 hour and 3 months, the data was tabulated and was subjected to statistical analysis using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann Whitney U test.


Results and Observations:  It was found that 3.27% infants born through normal delivery and 1.63% caesarean-born infants acquired S.mutans at 0 days of life which increased to 28% of infants born through normal delivery and 13.12% infants born through Caesarean section at 3 months of age.


Conclusion: S.mutans acquisition in predentate infants is yet to be established, hence this field needs many more research work to determine the presence of S.mutans in predentate period, timing of acquisition and its association with dental caries in future, if any, to plan and facilitate the preventive regimen for dental caries for future.

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