Can insoluble polysaccharide concentration in dental plaque, sugar exposure and cariogenic microorganisms predict early childhood caries? A follow-up study

Abstract Background Insoluble polysaccharide (IP) has been associated with caries prevalence in young children. However, the power of IP to predict ECC needs to be demonstrated. Aims To assess the relationships between early childhood caries (ECC) and extracellular insoluble polysaccharides (IP) in dental plaque, sugar exposure and cariogenic microorganisms. Design Visible plaque on maxillary incisors was recorded, followed by caries diagnosis in 65 preschoolers (3–4 years) at baseline and after 1 year. Plaque was collected for mutans streptococci (MS), total microorganism (TM) and lactobacilli (LB) enumerations in selective media, as well as for IP analysis, which was later assessed by colorimetry. Sugar/sucrose exposure was assessed by a diet chart. Results Positive correlations were found among the prevalence of caries and MS, TM, LB, solid sucrose and visible dental plaque. Additionally, children with IP concentrations in dental plaque higher than 2.36 μg/mg (odds ratio-OR = 6.8), with visible plaque on maxillary incisors (OR = 4.3), harbouring LB (OR = 13) and exposed to solid sugar more than twice/day (OR = 5) showed higher risk of developing caries ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Extracellular insoluble polysaccharides, solid sugar/sucrose, visible dental plaque and cariogenic microorganisms could predict caries development, partially explaining the ECC pattern.