Effects of teething symptom relief medications on oral microbiota and caries risk in young children: a comparative study

Abstract

The eruption of primary teeth in children is accompanied by various undesirable symptoms in 35—70.5% of cases, including local and general manifestations. The study assessed the remote clinical and microbiological effects of drugs used to relieve teething symptoms, with an emphasis on their impact on the oral microbiota and the risk of early childhood caries.
Materials and methods.
The prospective 18-month study involved children aged 5 months—4 years with difficult eruption of primary teeth, divided into 3 groups of 40 people. The groups used the homeopathic medicinal product “Dantinorm Baby”, dental gels “Kalgel” and “Viburgel”. Changes in the oral microbiota (S. mutans, S. salivarius, Candida spp.) and the dynamics of primary teeth caries (dmf(t) rate) 18 months after using the drugs were assessed.
Results.
After 18 months of observation, the lowest increase in caries was noted in the group of children using “Dantinorm Baby” (+0.33), while in the groups of children using “Kalgel” and “Viburgel”, the increase was +0.89 and +0.92, respectively (p<0.001). The use of the homeopathic medicinal product “Dantinorm Baby” led to a decrease in the level of S. mutans by 16.8% (p<0.001), without affecting the levels of S. salivarius (+7.8%, p=0.108) and Candida spp. (p=0.421). The dental gels “Kalgel” and “Viburgel” suppressed S. salivarius (−55.8 and −33.0%, p<0.001) and increased colonization by Candida spp. (+82.5 and +50.0%, p<0.05).
Conclusion.
The homeopathic medicinal product “Dantinorm Baby” showed the most favorable profile, minimizing dysbiosis and the risk of caries development. Dental gels “Kalgel” and “Viburgel” caused disturbances in the microbial balance, which requires caution when prescribing them.