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Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the adolescent oral cavity

Dependence on orthodontic therapy, oral flora and hygiene

Prävalenz von Helicobacter pylori in der Mundhöhle Jugendlicher

Abhängigkeit von orthodontischer Behandlung, Mundflora und Mundhygienestatus

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Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection usually occurs in childhood. While there are various studies on the prevalence of HP in dental plaque, ours is the first to analyze its prevalence during orthodontic therapy and its interaction with competitive bacteria in adolescents.

Subjects and methods

The prevalence of HP was examined before and during the first 12 weeks of orthodontic therapy with fixed appliances in 11 patients with a mean age of 12.7 years. A total of 93 plaque samples were analyzed using PCR. The data acquired at every consultation were the following: PCR analysis of dental plaque and 13C urea breath tests for HP, quantitative analyses of saliva for Lactobacilli and Streptococcus mutans, the interproximal plaque index (API), and sulcus bleeding index (SBI).

Results

The prevalence of HP in plaque was 82% before orthodontic therapy, dropping to 54% during therapy (t test, p≤0.05). In contrast to HP’s prevalence, the Lactobacilli count rose (p≤0.05). The number of Streptococcus mutans bacteria in saliva decreased during orthodontic therapy (p≤0.05).

Conclusion

The prevalence of HP in dental plaque amounted to 82%. Orthodontic treatment did not reduce its prevalence. The prevalence of Lactobacilli was inversely proportional to that of HP.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Die Infektion mit Helicobacter pylori (HP) findet meistens in der Kindheit statt. Zur Prävalenz von HP in dentaler Plaque liegen verschiedene Untersuchungen vor. Ziel dieser Studie war die erstmalige Analyse der Prävalenz des Bakteriums während kieferorthopädischer Therapie und deren Interaktion mit kompetitiven Bakterien bei Jugendlichen.

Probanden und Methodik

Bei 11 Patienten eines mittleren Alters von 12,7 Jahren wurde die Prävalenz von HP vor und während der ersten 12 Wochen kieferorthopädischer Therapie mit festsitzenden Apparaturen untersucht. Insgesamt wurden 93 Plaqueproben mittels Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR) analysiert. Bei jeder Konsultation wurden folgende Daten erhoben: PCR-Analyse von dentaler Plaque und 13C-Harnstoff-Atemtest auf HP, quantitative Speichelanalysen für Lactobazillen und Streptococcus mutans, approximaler Plaqueindex (API) und Sulcus-Blutungs-Index (SBI).

Ergebnisse

Vor kieferorthopädischer Therapie lag die Prävalenz von HP in der Plaque bei 82% und verringerte sich während der Therapie auf 54% (t-Test, p ≤0,05). Im Gegensatz zur Prävalenz von HP stieg die Anzahl der Lactobazillen (p ≤0,05). Die Anzahl der Streptococcus-mutans-Bakterien im Speichel verringerte sich während der orthodontischen Therapie (p ≤0,05).

Schlussfolgerung

Die Prävalenz von HP in dentaler Plaque betrug 82%. Die orthodontische Behandlung hatte keinen negativen Einfluss auf die HP-Prävalenz. Die Prävalenz von Lactobazillen war umgekehrt proportional zu der von HP.

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Conflict of interest

The corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinikum der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Poliklinik für Kieferorthopädie, Goethestr. 70, 80336, München, Deutschland

    A. Wichelhaus

  2. Clinic of Orthodontics and Pedodontics, University of Basel, Basel, Schweiz

    L. Brauchli

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Q. Song

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland

    G. Adler

  5. Department of Epidemiology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Deutschland

    G. Bode

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  1. A. Wichelhaus
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  2. L. Brauchli
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  3. Q. Song
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  4. G. Adler
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  5. G. Bode
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Correspondence to A. Wichelhaus.

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A. Wichelhaus und L. Brauchli contributed equally to this research.

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Wichelhaus, A., Brauchli, L., Song, Q. et al. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in the adolescent oral cavity. J Orofac Orthop 72, 187–195 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00056-011-0024-5

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