Bacterial Profile and Risk Factors Associated With Dental Caries Among Patients Attending State Dental Hospital Maiduguri

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is an epidemic, microbiological contagious disease of the teeth that ends in localized dissolution and damage of the calcified structure of the teeth. This disease occurs due to multiple factors such as interactions within the plaque community, host physiology, diet, fluoride, pH, and the nature of the tooth enamel, and dominance of Streptococcus mutans. The time factor is significant for the commencement and development of caries in teeth. The main instigation and progress of dental caries involve acidogenic and aciduric Gram-positive bacteria such as Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Actinomycetes colonizing the supragingival biofilm, which impede with usual nutrition intake, verbal communication, self-worth, and daily habitual behaviour. In spite of developments in the science of oral diseases, dental caries continue to be a global health concern affecting human beings of different age groups. With this concern, this study aimed to isolate and identify bacteria and risk factors associated with dental caries in Maiduguri. It was a case-controlled study. A total of 106 samples were collected from dental caries patients. Samples were subjected to standard microbiological and biochemical techniques. Standardized questionnaires were used to record demographic variables and risk factors. A total of 89 samples yielded microbial growth. Of these, 38 (35.85%) showed growth of a single organism, 37 (34.91%) and 14 (13.21%) showed mixed growth of two and three organisms, respectively. Fifty-one (48.12%) were polymicrobial while 38 samples (35.85%) were monomicrobial. Among the organisms recovered, anaerobic Mutans streptococci (70, 66%) was the most prevalent followed by Lactobacillus spp. (17, 16%), and the least were Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., and Yeast. The factors that were found to be significantly associated with dental caries were level of education, feeding habit, sweet consumption, and history of toothache. This research highlighted the polymicrobial nature of carious lesions and associated predictors of dental caries. Hence, public enlightenment and the implementation of oral health education in schools are crucial.