Correlations of oral bacterial urea catabolism with caries experience in normal-weight children and underweight children

Background: Alkali generation by oral bacteria plays a key role in plaque pH homeostasis and may be inhibitory to the initiation and progression of dental caries. A substantial body of evidence is beginning to accumulate, which indicates that the modulation of the Alkali generating potential of dental biofilms may be a promising strategy for caries control. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the capacity of oral samples to produce ammonia from urea and its relation to caries experience in normal-weight children and underweight children. Materials and Methods: Urease activity was measured in the saliva and plaque of 25 caries-active (CA) individuals who have normal weight and 25 CA individuals who are underweight. Urease activity was obtained from the ammonia produced by the incubation of plaque and salivary samples in urea. Independent sample t-test and Pearson's correlation were used to compare the differences and to correlate the urease levels and caries experience between groups. Results: The results showed that the mean urease levels in saliva were higher in All are positive value-1.2192±1.012 as compared to that of underweight children-0.78-0.676. The mean urease levels in plaque were lower in normal-weight children-0.1120-0.12206 as compared to that of underweight children-0.4824-0.5215. Conclusion: In underweight children, the caries activity was higher along with increased urease activity in saliva and lower urease activity in plaque, whereas in normal-weight children, the caries activity was lower with increased urease activity in saliva and lower urease activity in plaque.