A large study in children reveals Selenomonas sputigena, which previously was only associated with gum disease, can be a key partner of Streptococcus mutans in cavity formation.
“This was an unexpected finding that gives us new insights into the development of caries, highlights potential future targets for cavity prevention, and reveals novel mechanisms of bacterial biofilm formation that may be relevant in other clinical contexts,” said study co-senior author Hyun (Michel) Koo DDS, PhD, a professor in the Department of Orthodontics and Divisions of Pediatrics and Community Oral Health and Co-Director of the Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry at Penn Dental Medicine.
This is the first study to find Selenomonas species to play a role in causing cavities. Plaque samples were taken from the teeth of 300 children, half of which had caries present, and analyzed with a number of tests.
“The tests included sequencing of bacterial gene activity in the samples, analyses of the biological pathways implied by this bacterial activity, and even direct microscopic imaging. The researchers then validated their findings on a further set of 116 plaque samples from 3 to 5-year-olds,” reported ScienceDaily.
