Salivary bacteria and oral health status in children with disabilities fed through gastrostomy

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 179–185 Objectives. This study examined caries level, amount of calculus, and oral microbial environment in gastrostomy tube (GT)‐fed children compared with healthy children and children with disabilities orally fed (PO). Study design. The study group consisted of 12 GT‐fed children and the two control groups consisted of 16 children with disabilities orally fed and 17 healthy children. DMF‐T/dmf‐t index, calculus index, Mutans Streptococci (MS), Lactobacilli (LB) levels and salivary buffer capacity were examined. Results. DMF‐T/dmf‐t index was significantly lower in the tube‐fed group. Calculus index was highest in the tube‐fed group. MS and LB levels were the lowest in the tube‐fed children. Correlation was found between MS and DMF‐T/dmf‐t. Conclusions. Tube‐fed children demonstrated significantly higher calculus levels and less caries, MS, and LB levels then healthy children or children with disabilities eating PO.