Helicobacter pylori distribution in dental plaque specimens collected from individuals referred to dental clinics

Background: According to documented thesis, dental plaques may be sources of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity. The present research was performed to assess the distribution of H. pylori in dental plaque samples collected from individuals referred to dental clinics. Methods: Four hundred patients referred to the dental clinics for routine check-ups were assessed in this survey. Dental plaque presence is the prominent inclusion factor. All patients who had received antimicrobial options or antibacterial mouthwashes three months before the experiment were excluded from the research. Two hundred and fifty dental plaque samples were collected from included patients. Samples were taken from the gingival crevice at the most profound pocket reading and removed from the clinical site using a sterile universal curette. Samples were cultured, and suspected colonies were confirmed using the biochemical tests and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The mean age of the included population was 54.5 year, with a male to female ratio of 140/110. Molar (45.2%) dental plaque was the most commonly identified, followed by premolar (35.8%). H. pylori was detected in 42 out of 250 (16.8%) dental plaque specimens. Molar teeth plaque specimens (19.4%) had the highest distribution of H. pylori, while incisor teeth (12.0%) harboured the lowest. Conclusion: The role of dental plaques, particularly in the molar and premolar areas as H. pylori reservoirs, was determined. Oral hygiene observation and proper antimicrobial uses can diminish the H. pylori distribution.