Caries May May Signal Oral Antibiotic Resistance

Study found species-specific differences in biofilm -forming capacity and antimicrobial susceptibility among supragingival bacterial isolates from patients with active dental caries.

By
Andrea Surnit
May 29, 2026
3 min

Conexiant

Overview

This study investigates the relationship between dental caries and antibiotic resistance in supragingival bacteria. Findings indicate species-specific differences in antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation between patients with active caries and healthy controls.

Background

Understanding the relationship between dental caries and antibiotic resistance is crucial. Dental caries can alter the oral microbiome, potentially leading to increased antibiotic resistance. This study provides insights into the specific bacterial species involved and their resistance profiles.

Data Highlights

Bacterial Species	Susceptibility to Ampicillin (Caries vs Healthy)	Biofilm Production (Caries vs Healthy)
Veillonella parvula	21% vs 73%	79% moderate vs 82% non-biofilm
Lachnoanaerobaculum saburreum	Higher resistance in healthy	Moderate/strong in healthy vs non-biofilm in caries

Key Findings

21% of Veillonella parvula isolates from caries patients were susceptible to ampicillin compared to 73% from healthy patients.
79% of isolates from caries patients were moderate biofilm producers, while 82% from healthy patients were non-biofilm producers.
Resistant bacteria were identified across all tested taxa, including Streptococcus oralis and Fusobacterium nucleatum.
Beta-lactamase activity was confirmed in eight bacterial isolates, predominantly in Fusobacterium nucleatum.
Greater biofilm formation was associated with higher proportions of antibiotic resistance across obligate anaerobic species.

Clinical Implications

The findings suggest that clinicians should consider the specific bacterial profiles when treating patients with dental caries. Understanding the species-specific resistance patterns may inform antibiotic prescribing practices.

Conclusion

The study highlights the complex relationship between dental caries and antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the need for species-specific considerations in clinical practice.