Salivary Beta Defensins 1 in Relation to Dental Caries

Objective: This study aimed to investigate an association between caries susceptibility among adolescents in Baghdad city and variants in beta defensins 1 (DEFB1). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 78 adolescents (39 with very low caries experience and 39 with high caries experience) aged 13–15 years old from Baghdad city. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from unstimulated saliva samples, namely rs2738182 and rs1800972. Dental caries was evaluated with the DMFS/ DMFT (decayed, missing, filled surface/teeth) and D1-4 indices. Results: None of the studied SNPs revealed significant difference between the high and very low caries groups. Conclusion: Lack of relationship between DEFB1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to caries development underscore the complexity of genetic influences on caries susceptibility and the importance of considering different genetic and environmental factors.