ABSTRACT
With regard to the presence of Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] in Dental Plaque [DP] and its association with gastric infection, data from the literature are variable. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylroi in DP of dyspeptic patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and to investigate its relationship to gastric infection and oral hygiene. Dental plaque samples were taken from tooth surfaces of molars, premolars and incisors of 180 dyspeptic patients. DP samples were subjected to rapid urease test, histological examination, gram stain and culture for identification of H. pylori. During endoscopy six biopsies were taken to visualize H. pylori. Information concerning oral hygiene protocol were recorded. For statistical analysis of data chi square test was used. Clinical diagnoses included 11.3% duodenal ulcer, 46% active chronic gastritis without ulcer, 22.7% chronic gastritis with ulcer and 20% normal gastro-duodenal mucosa. Patients were divided into two groups of infected and uninfected according to H. pylori infection. Our study proved the presence of H. pylori in DP of infected and uninfected patients including subjects with normal gastric mucosa. H. pylori was identified in all three locations with different prevalence: 87% in the molars, 69% in the premolars and 61% in the incisors. There was no significant association between H. pylori colonization in DP and gastric infection. In this study oral hygiene did not have significant influence on the presence of H. pylori in dental plaque. There was no significant relationship between the presence of H. pylori in DP and gastric infection supporting the hypothesis that H. pylori may belong to the normal microflora of the oral cavity. However, factors that influence the growth and distribution of H. pylori and conditions that favour gastric infection are still unknown