Dental caries and mutans streptococci in relation to plasma ascorbic acid

Abstract

Ascorbic acid (AA) affects in vitro growth of bacteria and may also act in vivo to decrease caries activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association of AA level in plasma with number of caries lesions, relative numbers of some species of oral cariogenic flora, and rate of salivary secretion. The caries status and some bacteriologic variables of dentulous adult subjects with a low level of AA in the plasma (≤25 μmol/1; n=75) were compared with those of controls (plasma level ≥50 μmol/1; n=75) matched for age, sex, and number of teeth. For each subject, site‐specific recordings of the presence or absence of plaque, dental caries, fillings, and erosions were recorded clinically by the same dentist in a double‐blind system. The amounts of visible plaque and numbers of decayed tooth surfaces were significantly higher in the low AA group than in the controls. No between‐group differences were found in the number of fillings and the amount of oral bacterial growth. The frequencies of consumption of vegetables, berries, and other fruit were significantly lower in the low AA group than in the controls.

Does Secondhand Smoke Affect the Development of Dental Caries in Children? A Systematic Review

“…Blood levels of vitamin C in smokers and children who reside with smoking parents were decreased [36–38]. Decreased vitamin C levels were associated with the growth of S. mutans [39]. The influence of sugar would be an indirect and apparent relationship because of unhealthy lifestyles of smoking parents [40,41].…”

Prevalence of dental caries among smoking and smokeless tobacco users attending dental hospital in Eastern region of Uttar Pradesh

“…in 1994 found that there was a statistically significant difference between the study group (with low levels of plasma ascorbic acid) and the control group (with higher levels of plasma ascorbic acid) in the prevalence of caries lesions but not in the number of mutans streptococci. [ 38 ] It also increases the risk of orogastrointestinal disease in both protective (ulcerative colitis) and inductive (squamous tumors of the head, neck, and esophagus) roles. Barton et al .…”

Association of environmental tobacco smoke and snacking habits with the risk of early childhood caries among 3‐year‐old Japanese children

“… reported that ETS can reduce concentrations of ascorbates in children, even when the amount of exposure to ETS is minimal. Väänänen reported that decreased vitamin C levels have been associated with the growth of cariogenic bacteria. Lindemeyer et al .…”