Are Children’s Oral Health Status and Oral Microbiome Profiles Associated with Their Parents’?

Abstract

<p>Background: Family members, particularly parents and children, often share similar dietary and oral hygiene habits, which might contribute to the development of dental caries. Previous studies have indicated that cariogenic bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans can be transmitted from mothers to infants. However, limited studies have compared the oral health status and oral microbiome profiles between children and parents. Objectives: To investigate the associations between oral health status and oral microbiome profiles in children and their parents. Methods: The oral health status of 127 children and their parents was assessed by calibrated pediatric dentists. Caries status was evaluated using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, and oral hygiene status was assessed using the simplified debris index (DI-S). Additionally, the supragingival dental plaque samples were collected and analyzed using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technique. Results: Parents whose children suffering from caries exhibited higher DI-S scores than parents of caries-free children (1.22 ± 0.58 vs 0.96 ± 0.50, p = 0.004). Children whose parents had dental caries demonstrated higher dmft scores than their peers whose parents had no caries (3.06 ± 3.65 vs 1.67 ± 3.07, p = 0.029). Significant differences observed in microbial diversities between parents of caries-free children and parents of children with caries (p< 0.001). Parents of children with caries showed higher relative abundance of Streptococcus mutans than parents of caries -free children (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Children’s oral health status and oral microbiome might be associated with their parents’. Family-based oral health promotion activities should be recommended.<br></p>