• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.118-123
• /
• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the composition of artificial cariogenic biofilms using a Streptococcus mutans biofilm model over a period of time. Methods: We analyzed the dry weight, colony forming unit (CFU) number, extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) biovolume, and acid production rate of S. mutans biofilms formed on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite discs after 26 h, 50 h, 74 h, 98 h, 171 h, and 195 h. In addition, we performed a laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy to determine the bacterial volume, EPS biovolume, and biofilm thickness. We calculated the biofilm density using dry weight and EPS biovolume. Results: Over a period of time, there was no change in the CFU number and acid production rate of S. mutans biofilms, but there was an increase in the dry weight and EPS biovolume of S. mutans biofilms. The bacterial volume, EPS biovolume, and biofilm thickness only increased in the 50-h-old biofilm; however, no change was observed in 50-195-h-old biofilms. In addition, an increase in the biofilm density was observed over time. Conclusions: These results suggest that the acid production ability of cariogenic biofilms does not change, but the biofilm density increases over time. However, due to scientific information, further research needs to be conducted in the field of dentistry to get further insights on the progression of cariogenic biofilms over time.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.345-357
• /
• 2023

Enamel demineralization represents the most prevalent complication arising from fixed orthodontic treatment. Its main etiology is the development of cariogenic biofilms formed around orthodontic appliances. Ordinarily, oral biofilms exist in a dynamic equilibrium with the host's defense mechanisms. However, the equilibrium can be disrupted by environmental changes, such as the introduction of a fixed orthodontic appliance, resulting in a shift in the biofilm's microbial composition from non-pathogenic to pathogenic. This alteration leads to an increased prevalence of cariogenic bacteria, notably mutans streptococci, within the biofilm. This article examines the relationships between oral biofilms and orthodontic appliances, with a particular focus on strategies for effectively managing oral biofilms to mitigate enamel demineralization around orthodontic appliances.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.140-148
• /
• 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and potassium iodide (KI) on the formation of cariogenic biofilm and surface roughness in vitro. A total of 48 bovine dentin specimens with artificially induced caries were prepared and divided into 3 groups of 16: untreated control, SDF-treated, and SDF-treated followed by KI (SDFKI). Ten specimens from each group were used to observe microbial adhesion. Multispecies cariogenic biofilms including Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, and Candida albicans were cultured on the specimens. Microbes were cultured for 24 hours, and the colony-forming unit was calculated. The remaining specimens were observed by atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The number of bacteria was significantly lower in the SDF and SDFKI groups. KI did not inhibit the antibacterial activity of SDF significantly. SEM images showed particles generated after SDF and SDFKI application were deposited on the dentin, but there was no significant difference in surface roughness between the 3 groups. This study confirmed that SDF and SDFKI application did not have a significant effect on the surface roughness of dentin, but effectively inhibited the formation of the early cariogenic bacterial film after 24 hours compared to the control.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.170-179
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to compare the cariogenicity of commercially available bovine milk and low-fat milk in a biofilm model using the CDC Biofilm Reactor. Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 biofilms were formed on saliva coated bovine enamel slabs in a CDC Biofilm Reactor. Biofilms were exposed three times per day to one of the following materials: commercial whole milk (fat content: 3.4%), low-fat milk (fat content: 1%), or 0.9% NaCl. Medium pH was measured at different time points. After 5 days, biofilms were separated from slabs to evaluate the CFUs. The biofilm thickness was observed by confocal laser-scanning microscopy (CLSM). Enamel slab's demineralization was assessed by measuring surface microhardness before and after the experiment. For microhardness and CFUs assessment, no significant difference was found among the three groups. All groups showed similar pattern of medium pH change and biofilm thickness. Our results showed that there was no difference in the cariogenicity between whole milk and low-fat milk. Both milks were relatively non-cariogenic compared to the control group.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.288-293
• /
• 2019

Background: Dental caries is one of several prevalent oral diseases caused by dental plaque biofilms. This study evaluated the anti-cariogenic effects of a bamboo salt (BS) and sodium fluoride (NaF) mixture on oral bacteria. Methods: The effects of several mixtures of NaF and BS on acid production, growth, and adhesion to glass beads of Streptococcus mutans, and their anti-cariogenic properties were investigated. The growth of S. mutans was measured according to optical density at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 hours after treatment using spectrophotometry at a wavelength of 600 nm, while pH was measured using a pH meter. Adhesion of S. mutans was measured according to the weight of glass beads from each group before and after incubation. Gene expression was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Acid production and growth patterns of S. mutans were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance, followed by Scheffe's post-hoc test. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare adhesion, followed by the Mann-Whitney test. Gene expression in the experimental and control samples was compared using the Student's t-test. Results: Growth, acid production, and adhesion of S. mutans were inhibited in all experimental groups. Expression of gft and fructosyltransferase in S. mutans was inhibited in all groups. A mixture of NaF and BS significantly reduced growth, acid production, adhesion, and gene expression of S. mutans compared with the other groups. Conclusion: Results of the present study demonstrated that a mixture of NaF and BS was useful as a mouth rinse in preventing dental caries.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.47 no.2
• /
• pp.120-127
• /
• 2020

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using plaque disclosing agent, 10 - 20 mM erythrosine, as a photosensitizer. Multispecies cariogenic biofilms containing Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei and Candida albicans were formed on hydroxyapatite disc. 20 μM, 10 mM and 20 mM erythrosine were applied as a photosensitizer for 3 minutes, and then light-emitting diode (LED) irradiated for 24 seconds. Colony-forming unit (CFU) were measured and biofilms were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). CFU were significantly decreased in the PDT groups using 10 - 20 mM erythrosine (10 mM, 20mM) and the results were also confirmed by CLSM. This study confirms the high antimicrobial effect of photodynamic therapy using plaque disclosing agent as a photosensitizer.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.49 no.4
• /
• pp.392-401
• /
• 2022

This study investigated the effects of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) and potassium iodide (KI) treatments on the acid resistance of dentin exposed to secondary caries. Sixteen bovine dentin specimens with artificially induced caries were assigned to the following four groups: untreated negative control, untreated positive control, SDF-treated (SDF), and SDF and KI-treated (SDFKI). Multispecies cariogenic biofilms containing Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, and Candida albicans were cultured on the specimens for 28 days, except for the negative control group. Specimens from the negative control group were stored in phosphate-buffered saline for that period. After a cariogenic biofilm challenge, the degree of demineralization was evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). As a result of data analysis using micro-CT, the demineralization depths of the negative control, positive control, SDF, and SDFKI groups were 149.0 ± 7 ㎛, 392.0 ± 11 ㎛, 206.0 ± 20 ㎛, and 230.0 ± 31 ㎛, respectively. The degree of demineralization was significantly reduced in the SDF and SDFKI groups compared with that in the untreated positive control group. There were no significant differences between the SDF and SDFKI groups. This study confirmed that SDF and SDFKI treatments increase the acid resistance of dentin to secondary caries. KI did not significantly affect the caries-arresting effect of the SDF.