The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis about differences in sweet taste perception in the group of preschool children with and without caries, and to determine its relationship with cariogenic microbiota and the frequency of sweets consumption in children. The study group included of 63 children aged 2–6 years: 32 with caries and 31 without caries. The study consisted of collecting questionnaire data and assessment of dental status using the decayed, missing, filled in primary teeth index (dmft) and the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II). The evaluation of sweet taste perception was carried out using a specific method that simultaneously assessed the level of taste preferences and the sensitivity threshold for a given taste. The microbiological analysis consisted of the assessment of the quantitative and qualitative compositions of the oral microbiota of the examined children. The sweet taste perception of children with caries was characterized by a lower susceptibility to sucrose (the preferred sucrose solution concentration was >4 g/L) compared to children without caries (in the range ≤ 4 g/L, p = 0.0015, chi-square test). A similar relationship was also observed for frequent snacking between meals (p = 0.0038, chi-square test). The analysis of studied variables showed the existence of a strong positive correlation between the perception of sweet taste and the occurrence and intensity of the cariogenic process (p = 0.007 for dmft; and p = 0.012 for ICDAS II), as well as the frequency of consuming sweets (p ≤ 0.001 for frequent and repeated consumption of sweets during the day, Spearman test) in children with caries. Additionally, children with an elevated sucrose taste threshold were more than 10-times more likely to develop S. mutans presence (OR = 10.21; 95% CI 3.11–33.44). The results of this study suggest the future use of taste preferences in children as a diagnostic tool for the early detection of increased susceptibility to caries through microbial dysbiosis towards specific species of microorganisms.

Secondary caries is a disease associated with the formation of biofilm on the border of the tooth and dental filling. Its development is strongly influenced by the dietary sweet foods and the type of dental material. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of sweeteners on the ability of clinical Streptococcus mutans strains to form biofilm on dental materials. Strains were isolated from plaque samples from 40 pediatric patients from the 3–6 ICADS II group. The ability to form biofilm was tested on composite and glass ionomer dental materials used for milk teeth filling in the presence of sucrose, xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol. The bacterial film mass after 12, 24, 48, and 72 h and the number of bacterial colonies significantly decreased (p < 0.01) compared to the initial value for 5% erythritol and sorbitol on examined materials. A greater inhibitory effect was noted for glass ionomers compared to composites. Sucrose and xylitol supported biofilm formation, while erythritol had the best inhibitory effect. The use of fluoride-releasing glass ionomers exerted an effect synergistic to erythritol, i.e., inhibited plaque formation and the amount of cariogenic S. mutans. Selection of proper type of dental material together with replacing sucrose with polyols can significantly decrease risk of secondary caries development. Erithritol in combination with glass ionomer seems to be the most effective in secondary caries prevention.

Introduction. Pregnancy is a special period in the life of a woman, when she cares not only for her own health, but also for that of her unborn child. Prenatal care is defined as comprehensive and multidisciplinary care provided to a pregnant woman, developing foetus, and then a newborn. The aim of caries prevention in pregnancy is not only to protect the future mother from caries, but also to prevent the disease in the child. Aim. The aim of the paper was to present the recommendations on preventive and therapeutic dental management in pregnant women with regard to oral diseases in the mother and her child. Material and methods. Electronic search for literature in medical databases (Pubmed, EMBASE, MEDLINE) and manual search for literature on primary-primary prevention of dental caries and dental care in pregnancy. Results. The available literature indicates the safety of preventive and therapeutic activities during pregnancy, including the use of local anaesthesia and dental diagnostic radiology. Although dental treatment requires some modifications due to pregnancy-related changes, it may be safely used for the benefit of the mother’s and the child’s health. Conclusions. Dental care in pregnancy should be primarily dedicated to education, prevention and treatment, if needed. Future mothers should be made aware that the child’s oral health can and should be taken care of already in the prenatal period.

Root fractures are lesions involving dentine, cementum and pulp. The highest incidence range of roots fractures is recorded in patients 16-20 years. Horizontal root fractures mainly affect the maxillary anterior region. Due to relatively rare occurrence of root fractures, they may be difficult to make appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan. The treatment success is determined by the location of fracture line. Additional the healing process depends on optimal fragments reposition an immobilization, regular clinical an radiological control, patients age, tooth mobility, degree of root formation, pulp condition, diastasis of fragments and time between trauma and treatment. The clinical study presents 18- month follow-up treatment of a 14 years old patient with horizontal root fracture located in 1/3 middle of root.