Characterization of Oral Microbiota in Removable Dental Prosthesis Users: Influence of Arterial Hypertension

INTRODUCTION: Studies have described the possible relation between oral infections and atherosclerotic events. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the oral microbiota of normotensive and hypertensive users of dental prostheses. METHODS: The sample consisted of 41 complete dental prosthesis users, divided into groups: 21 participants with systemic arterial hypertension and 20 normotensive participants. The data collection included the characteristics of the sociodemographic variables and the determination of the microbial load in the saliva. For the descriptive analyses, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used. The description of the proportional differences between the groups was based on the application of Mann–Whitney's statistical test. Statistical significance was set at 5% (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The analysis of the oral microbiota showed the vast growth of aerobic microorganisms in all samples from both groups. The microbial load of streptococci and staphylococci was significantly higher among hypertensive participants. Candida yeasts were detected in the saliva culture of most samples. The hypertensive participants rank in the category of very high colonization index/high risk of infection related to this microorganism. CONCLUSIONS: The mouth of dental prosthesis users, especially when hypertensive, can constitute an important reservoir of pathogens, indicating an established inflammatory or infectious condition or risk for developing this condition.