Exploring the occurrence, relationship and in vitro culturing behaviors of bacterial populations associated with dental caries in adult patients

Abstract

Abstract Dental caries, a widespread oral infection affecting people worldwide, has significant societal impact due to its high prevalence. The issue of antibiotic resistance in the oral environment was investigated in rural areas in the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and biofilm development in the bacteria causing dental caries. Cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2021 and October 2022. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral habits, and clinical issues. The study included 900 individuals suspected of having dental caries, who were categorized into three groups based on their initial symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Among the patients, 61 % reported tooth discomfort only, 12 % experienced gum bleeding in addition to tooth discomfort, and 27 % had both problems. To assess the effectiveness of antibiotics and extracts against the identified pathogens, the collected samples were transferred to a microbiological laboratory. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 22. A statistically significant difference was concluded when the P-value was less than 0.05. Each strain possessed unique molecular and biochemical properties, allowing for their independent utilization without reliance on other strains.