The Role of Salivary Cortisol and Mutans Streptococci in the Development of Early Childhood Caries Yahya Abeer A.1, Al-Haidar Aseel H. M. J.2, Al-Mizraqchi Abbas S.3 1Master Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad 2Assistant Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad 3Professor, Department of Basic Science, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad Online published on 23 December, 2019. Abstract Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system release salivary cortisol hormone, which may encourage the proliferation of Mutans Streptococci. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of salivary cortisol and Mutans streptococci on the development of early childhood caries. Eighty children aged 4–5 years old were selected randomly were divided into two groups (forty for each), early childhood caries group and caries free group. Dental caries was determined by measuring the dmfs according to WHO (1987), collection of unstimulated saliva was done and laboratory investigations was carried out to measure the viable count of Mutans Streptococci. Salivary cortisol was measured using cortisol kit (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay “ECLIA”). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 23. The statistical analysis showed that salivary cortisol and the viable count of Mutans Streptococci were significantly higher among the early childhood caries group than that found among the caries free group. Moreover, a significant positive association was found between salivary cortisol and the viable count of Mutans Streptococci. Salivary cortisol level was increased in children with early childhood caries so as the viable count of Mutans Streptococci, so it may play a role and has an impact on the bacterial proliferation in those children. Top Keywords Cortisol, early childhood caries (ECC), Mutans Streptococci (MS). Top |