Incidence Of Caries Research Articles

Dental caries in anterior teeth of babies can predict the occurrence of severe dental caries in posterior teeth: a 3-year cohort study.

To evaluate whether the presence of dental caries in the primary anterior teeth of 1- and 2-year-old babies can predict the occurrence of severe dental caries in the primary posterior teeth of these children after a 3-year follow-up. This cohort study was carried out with 99 children and their guardians who were assessed at the beginning of the study and reassessed after 3years. Severe caries in posterior tooth at the 3-year follow-up is the dependent variable. Caries in anterior tooth at baseline is the main independent variable. Other independent variables are family income, mother's education, oral hygiene, night oral hygiene, sucrose consumption, and history of toothache. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, and Poisson regression were performed. The incidence of severe caries in posterior tooth was 3.33 times higher in children with caries in anterior tooth at baseline (95% CI 2.06-5.37). Children who belonged to lower-income families both at baseline and at follow-up (RR: 2.75; 95% CI 1.40-5.39), who did not perform night-time oral hygiene at baseline (RR: 1.76; 95% CI 1.10-2.80) and who had a frequency of sucrose consumption equal to or greater than twice a day, both at baseline and at follow-up (RR: 4.07; 95% CI 2.03-8.19) had a higher risk of developing severe dental caries in posterior deciduous teeth. Children with dental caries in primary anterior teeth when they were babies have a higher incidence of severe caries in posterior teeth.

Application of novel nanomaterials with dual functions of antimicrobial and remineralization in mouthwashes

The study aims to improve the antimicrobial and remineralization-promoting properties of mouthwash by synthesizing novel Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shells nanocomposites and evaluating their anti-caries properties and biosafety in vitro and in vivo, so as to reduce the incidence of caries. The antimicrobial properties of the synthesized Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shell nanocomposites were examined by bacterial inhibition zone, minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, fluorescence staining and scanning electron microscopy. The potential of the materials to promote remineralization of demineralized enamel was detected by scanning electron microscopy, surface microhardness and depth of hard tissue defects, and laser confocal electron microscopy analysis. The synthesized materials were then incorporated into mouthwash, and their effects on antimicrobial properties, remineralization-promoting properties were evaluated. Furthermore, an oral mucosal contact model was established to assess local irritation and systemic effects. The results showed that the novel Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shell nanocomposites possessed strong antimicrobial activity, remineralization-promoting ability and good biosafety, and the mouthwash containing Ag/ZnO/Oyster Shell possessed strong antimicrobial performance and remineralization-promoting ability, and showed no obvious abnormalities in local mucosal tissues, blood indices, and histopathology of the liver and kidneys in the oral exposure model of the SD rats. These findings indicate that Ag/ZnO/Oyster shell incorporated into mouthwash has strong antimicrobial activity, good remineralization-promoting properties and good biosafety in vivo. It is therefore expected to be used in clinical applications.

Oral health status of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in India: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionIndia has committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 principle of “Leave No One Behind”, which seeks to reduce disparities and vulnerabilities. The dearth of data on the oral health conditions of children with intellectual and developmental (IDD) disabilities in India is significant. Our systematic review intended to collate and synthesise data on the oral health status of children with IDD.MethodsOnline electronic databases such as PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus were searched using appropriate keywords from the earliest available data until 31st March 2024, with no language restriction. Cross-sectional studies conducted amongst individuals below 18 years of age with intellectual, or developmental disabilities, in India were included. Quality assessment and meta-analysis using a random-effects model for variables reported from four or more studies and a prediction interval was calculated.ResultsOut of 2388 studies, a total of 15 studies were included. Our study showed that 91% (95% [confidence interval] CI: 0.80–0.96) of IDD children use toothbrushes regularly. However, poor oral hygiene was found among 38% (95% CI = 0.21–0.59) of IDD children. The pooled prevalence of dental caries among children was found to be 64% (95% CI: 0.45–0.79). Periodontal disease was reported in only one study among 54.20% of IDD children.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that despite brushing regularly the incidence of caries and poor oral hygiene in children with IDD is high. Flexible, tailored interventions that go beyond a uniform approach must be implemented to effectively address oral health requirements of children with IDD. Specific Health Programmes should be established for their preventive oral care.

Correlation of Salivary pH, Incidence of Dental Caries and Periodontal Status among Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Subjects-A Cross Sectional Study

Aim: To evaluate the salivary pH and incidence of dental caries and periodontal status in Diabetes Mellitus and non-diabetic subjects. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted which included 40 subjects. 20 Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus subjects and 20 non diabetic subjects. The pH of saliva was determined using a digital pH meter. For dental and periodontal Status, clinical examination was performed and Modified WHO Oral Health Assessment Form for Adults, 2013 was measured. The data collected was statistically analyzed and interpreted. Results: There was a decrease in the mean salivary pH of (6.59±0.10) in diabetic group, compared to that of non diabetic group (7.49±0.24). The mean number of carious teeth in diabetics (7.2±3.61) was significantly higher than in non diabetic subjects (2.55±1.05). Likewise, periodontal health was worse in diabetic subjects, with a higher prevalence of gingival bleeding and pockets of 4-5 mm depth, emphasizing the association between diabetes and increased oral health risks. Conclusion: This study concluded that there was a significant relationship between diabetes mellitus and increased incidence of dental caries and periodontitis. The salivary pH was significantly lower, hence the evaluation of salivary parameters can be a cost effective and a non invasive alternative for screening, diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes.

Caries Incidence in School-Based Prevention Programs in the Presence of Interval Censoring.

School-based caries prevention can increase access to critical dental services and reduce oral health inequities. However, little is known regarding the incidence of dental caries in children participating in school caries prevention, and caries diagnosis is often interval censored. In this paper, we used data from a longitudinal, school-based, randomized clinical trial of minimally invasive treatments for dental caries to estimate the per-visit incidence rate and compare the hazard of dental caries in children receiving either silver diamine fluoride or glass ionomer dental sealants. To account for interval censoring, we used semiparametric transformation models for univariate failure time data and imputed caries incidence using G-imputation. There were 3040 children that met inclusion criteria for analysis, 1516 (49.9%) of which were randomly assigned to receive silver diamine fluoride and 1524 (50.1%) were assigned to receive glass ionomer dental sealants and atraumatic restorations. There were no differences in the hazard of caries between treatments (HR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.72, 1.24), while children with caries at baseline had a significant increase in the hazard of new caries (HR = 2.54, 95% CI = 2.26, 2.83) compared to those that were caries free. The per-visit caries incidence ranged from 4.8 to 11.1 at the individual level and increased with each successive study observation. School-based caries prevention can positively affect caries incidence, and the results can be used to inform future program design and implementation.

Assessment of clinical performance of universal adhesives versus other adhesive systems: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Universal adhesives (UAs) often exhibit comparable or even superior bond strength to traditional adhesive systems, ensuring reliable and long-lasting adhesion between the resin composite and the tooth structure. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the clinical performance of UAs compared to other adhesive systems in direct resin composite restorations through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Two reviewers executed a literature search in five electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Scielo. Clinical trials comparing the clinical evaluation of resin composite restorations in Class I, Class II, or Class V cavities placed with an universal adhesive (UA) system against resin composite restorations placed with another non-UA system were included in the review. An analysis was carried out using Review Manager software version 5.3.5 (London, England, United Kingdom). Standardized effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to allow comparisons between different interventions and different outcomes. The methodological quality of each study was assessed using the Cochrane RoB2 tool for randomized clinical trials. A total of 2331 potentially relevant studies were identified. After title and abstract examination, 14 studies remained in the systematic review. From these, a total of 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The retention rates of resin composite restorations after 6 months showed no significant difference between total-etch (TE, p=0.83), or self-etch (SE, p=0.78) adhesives and UAs applied in TE and SE modes (p>0.05). However, UAs applied in selective-enamel etching (SEE) mode demonstrated superior clinical performance compared to other adhesives (p=0.01), particularly TE adhesives (p=0.02). Similarly, after >12 months of follow-up, there were no significant differences in retention rates among different adhesive modes (p>0.05). Additionally, the incidence of secondary caries did not significantly differ across adhesive modes at both 6-month and >12-month evaluations (p>0.05). This systematic review and meta-analysis suggested that UAs demonstrate comparable clinical performance to TE and SE adhesive systems in direct resin composite restorations, particularly in terms of restoration retention rates and the incidence of secondary caries. UAs applied in SEE mode exhibited superior clinical outcomes compared to other adhesive systems. These findings indicate that UAs can be considered a viable alternative to traditional adhesive systems in clinical practice, offering flexibility in application while maintaining comparable long-term outcomes.

Dental Caries in Children and Its Relationship with Parenting Styles: A Systematic Review.

It can be affirmed that the parenting style of parents has an impact on the health-related behaviors of their children; the environment that parents create for their children can have an impact on both their habits and their oral health, and on the incidence of dental caries in children. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between parenting style and childhood dental caries. Two researchers independently searched the English literature published up to May 2024 in four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus y Cochrane Library). The risk of bias was evaluated using the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). This study is registered on PROSPERO (CRD42024573447). Of the 130 studies identified, nine of them, with a total of 4250 participants, met our inclusion criteria. The evidence on the relationship between parenting styles and dental caries is varied. Of the studies reviewed, three showed a significant association between both factors, while four found no correlation, and two reported no significant differences in relation to parenting styles and the occurrence of dental caries. This discrepancy emphasizes the need for further research. Parenting styles impact child dental behavior on a global level, highlighting the relevance of recognizing these approaches in a dental context, given that parents have a fundamental role in guiding their children's behaviors.

Effectiveness of interventions on improving early-life dental care utilization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although early-life dental care is crucial for preventing early childhood caries and has numerous benefits, the utilization rate of such care remains remarkably low worldwide, especially in families of low socioeconomic status. The aim of this study was to systematically review the scientific evidence relating to the effectiveness of interventions on improving early-life dental care utilization of very young children. Scientific evidence relating to these positive changes was reviewed, with seven randomized controlled trials after qualitative evaluation. Interventions assessed included prenatal oral health promotion, motivational interviewing, intra-oral camera use alongside social work consultations to aid in decreasing barriers to care, monetary incentives for tooth brushing, fluoride varnish applications, and probiotic usage. The intervention was significantly effective in reducing the incidence of dental caries among children, especially in caries risk. Caries reduction was significant when oral health information was provided at frequent intervals prenatally. Caries increment was also reduced when probiotics were introduced when administered daily. Interventions that attempted to increase parental involvement in oral health care by increasing motivation and decreasing barriers had inconclusive results within the study groups. Considering high rates of early childhood caries, early establishment and preservation of a dental home should be a focus in public health measures. Continuous monitoring and parental involvement are key components to maintaining healthy oral conditions. Future studies could explore and test various innovative strategies that utilize technological platforms to engage with parents and promote early-life dental care utilization among the underserved population.

Could the Arginine-Fluoride Association Have a Real Impact on Caries Prevention?

In the context of preventive therapy, fluoride has allowed the reduction of the incidence and prevalence of caries. The establishment of the protective role of arginine in the neutralization of plaque acidshas led to the development of new arginine-fluorine associations to potentiate this preventive aspect. Studies have reported that this association could provide superior efficacy compared to fluoride alone. A synergistic effect that could be potential and thus represent a promising ecological approach for caries prevention. However, confirmation of the effective efficacy of the arginine-fluoride association requires additional clinical studies to be carried out before establishing recommendations.

Increasing mothers' knowledge, and attitudes, and children's oral hygiene index simplified (OHI-S): an experimental study on the “EKARINI” educational method

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The high incidence of dental caries in children is partly due to the lack of parental participation in estabilishing children's tooth-brushing habits. This research aims to see an increase in the variables tested in the EKARINI, an educational model on mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and children's OHIS. Methods: This study employs an experimental design, collecting pretest and posttest data from mothers and their children following the intervention. The intervention provided in this study involved the EKARINI educational model, which included a pre-test and post-test in the form of a questionnaire consisting of several questions about maternal knowledge and attitudes toward dental health, and the control group received standard education using media such as leaflets, videos, and phantom models. The sample consisted of two groups: an intervention group with 20 respondents and a control group with 20 respondents. Data analysis was conducted using either the independent t-test or the Mann-Whitney test. Results: The findings revealed a significant difference between the posttest scores of the intervention group and the control group The p-values indicate significant differences for each variable: knowledge (p = 0.006), attitude (p = 0.016), and OHIS (p = 0.010), showing that the EKARINI educational model effectively improved maternal knowledge, attitudes, and children's oral hygiene compared to the control group. Based on the average value, the group that received the educational model had a higher average value than the control group. Conclusion: The EKARINI educational model is in increasing mothers’ knowledge, attitudes, and better OHIS values.

OPTIMIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF CARIES TREATMENT IN THE FIELD OF PERMANENT TEETH FISSURES IN CHILDREN

Dental caries is the most common dental disease in children. The problem of timely diagnosis, prevention and adequate treatment of this pathology occupies one of the leading places in pediatric therapeutic dentistry. However, before applying the sealant, the dentist faces the difficult task of assessing the condition of the fissure, diagnosing a possible latent carious lesion, and choosing adequate tactics for therapeutic and preventive measures. Fissure caries occupies the first place in the structure of carious lesions of the teeth. Based on this, the problem of prevention and treatment of fissure caries is extremely urgent. It has been established that fissure caries occurs immediately after teething. The high incidence of fissure caries is associated with the features of the anatomical structure of the fissures, the accumulation of food residues and the formation of aggressive dental plaque in the natural recesses of the tooth and a longer period of hypomineralization compared with smooth tooth surfaces. There is a direct relationship between the initial level of mineralization of the enamel of fissure teeth and the risk of fissure caries.

Two-year clinical performance of indirect resin composite restorations in endodontically treated teeth with different cavity preparation designs: a randomized clinical trial

Trial designThis is a randomized, controlled, superiority, double-blinded, parallel-group, two-arms trial with an allocation ratio of 1:1. This study aimed to assess whether the cavity design could affect the clinical performance of the CAD/CAM generated indirect resin composite restoration in endodontically treated teeth (ETT) evaluated using the Modified USPHS criteria after a two-year follow up.MethodsA total of 30 participants who underwent endodontic treatment for MOD cavities in permanent molars were divided randomly into two parallel groups (n = 30 restorations) according to the performed cavity design to group 1 in which there was no cuspal reduction (inlay) and group 2 in which cuspal reduction was performed (overlay). All pulp chambers were filled with bulk fill flowable composite, and the cavities were prepared following the criteria of the cavities for indirect restorations and restored using nano-hybrid composite resin blocks (Brilliant, Coltene, Switzerland). The restorations were evaluated using the modified USPHS criteria at baseline, six months, one-year and two years follow-up visits. For qualitative data, frequencies (n) and percentages (%) were used to display the data, while mean and standard deviation (SD) were used for quantitative data. The normality of the data was evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. For every test, P ≤ 0.05 was used as the significance threshold.ResultsTwenty-six individuals completed the follow-up period after receiving the assigned intervention.The inter-group comparison showed that, at the 6- months and 12- months observation points, the overlay design had significantly better marginal adaptation, less incidence of discoloration or tooth/restoration fracture, and similar marginal integrity and caries incidence to the inlay design. After 24- months, the overlay design still had better marginal adaptation, less incidence of discoloration or tooth/restoration fracture and less caries incidence in comparison to the inlay design, while there was no difference in the marginal integrity between either design.Conclusions and clinical relevanceCuspal reduction in endodontically treated teeth showed better clinical performance than the cusp preservation thus, the former is more reliable.

Comparison of the clinical performance of self-adhering flowable composite and resin-based pit and fissure sealant: a randomized clinical trial in pediatric patients

BackgroundSelf-adhering flowable composites are an innovative step in reducing the chair time of pit and fissure sealant treatment. This study aimed to compare the clinical performance of self-adhering flowable composite (SELF-ADH) and resin-based pit and fissure sealant (RBs).MethodsThis is a double-blinded, randomized, split-mouth clinical trial conducted on 80 fully erupted permanent mandibular first molars from 40 children aged 6 to 12 years. For each participant, two permanent molars were randomly treated with SELF-ADH or RB. All sealants were assessed at 3, 6, and 12-month follow-ups considering retention, marginal integrity, marginal discolouration, colour matching, surface texture, and caries recurrence. To analyse the data, logistic regression and Fisher’s exact tests were used (significance level P < 0.05).ResultsAt the 12-month follow-up, the number of fully retained sealants in the SELF-ADH group was significantly higher than that in the RB group (P < 0.001). Also, The success rate of marginal integrity in the SELF-ADH group was significantly greater than the the RB group (P = 0.031), while the rate of sealant marginal discolouration was higher in the RB group (P < 0.001). The incidence of recurrent caries in teeth with partial loss of sealant in both groups (P = 0.004, P < 0.001) increased significantly over time.ConclusionThe retention and marginal integrity of the self-adhering flowable composite were significantly greater than those of the resin-based sealant. Therefore, due to the small number of work steps, flowable self-adhering composites can be used as alternatives to resin-based pit and fissure sealants.Trial registrationThis study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences with the code IR.KMU.REC.1399.556 and Iraninan Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) code IRCT20180521039763N4, as well as full compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Hubungan Pengetahuan Karies Gigi dengan Keterampilan Menyikat Gigi pada Siswa SDN 2 Kukuh Marga Tabanan Tahun 2024

Dental and oral health problems, especially dental caries, are a disease experienced by almost half of the world's population. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health (2018), 57.6% of the Indonesian population experiences dental and oral health problems. The level of knowledge is one of the causes of the high incidence of caries. Brushing your teeth plays an important role in preventing the development of bacteria that cause dental caries. This research aims to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge about dental caries and tooth brushing skills among students at SDN 2 Kukuh Marga Tabanan in 2024. This research is a descriptive study with a survey design. The type of data used is primary and secondary data used tests and observation checklists. The results of research on 37 respondents showed that the percentage of dental caries knowledge level was the largest, namely 37.9% in the sufficient category, with an average of 69.86 in the sufficient category. The largest percentage of tooth brushing skills is 46.0% in the need for guidance category with an average of 59.86 in the need for guidance category. The percentage of tooth brushing skills based on knowledge of dental caries was greatest among students who had less caries knowledge and whose tooth brushing skills needed guidance at 63.64%. The Correlation Test results obtained a value of 0.210, meaning there is no relationship between the level of knowledge and tooth brushing skills. The conclusion of this research is that there is no relationship between the of knowledge about dental caries and tooth brushing skill in SDN 2 Kukuh Marga Tabanan in 2024.

The Relationship Between Knowledge of Dental Caries and the Incidence of Dental Caries in Pregnant Women at Polindes Jungkarang, Sampang, Madura

Problem: Based on primary data collected from pregnant women at Polindes Jungkarang, Sampang Regency, the average DMF-T score was 5.37, indicating that dental caries in pregnant women is still in the high category. This has not yet reached the target set in the National Action Plan (RAN), where the DMF-T value should be 4.1 for all ages. Research Objective: To determine the relationship between knowledge about caries and the high incidence of dental caries in pregnant women at Polindes Jungkarang, Sampang Regency. Research Method: This research is an analytical study using a cross-sectional method, with a sample of pregnant women visiting Polindes Jungkarang, Sampang Regency, from January to March 2024. The data collection instruments used were a questionnaire to measure knowledge about dental caries and a DMF-T examination sheet to identify caries. The analysis technique used was Spearman's rho test. Results: There is a relationship between knowledge about caries and the high incidence of dental caries in pregnant women at Polindes Jungkarang

The Relationship Between Maternal Nutrition During Pregnancy and Primary Tooth Caries in Stunted Toddlers: A Study at Umbulsari

Particularly during the 5th week of gestation when primary tooth enamel begins forming. Disruptions during this crucial period can lead to suboptimal enamel structure, increasing susceptibility to cavities in toddlers. A study conducted observed dental examinations of 10 stunted toddlers, all of whom exhibited dental caries. This prompted an investigation into whether maternal nutrition during pregnancy correlates with primary tooth caries in stunted toddlers. The research, a retrospective case-control study using purposive sampling of 90 respondents, utilized maternal BMI data and assessed primary tooth caries incidence. Analysis using Spearman's non-parametric correlation test indicated a significant relationship (p=0.001, r=0.351) between maternal nutritional status and primary tooth caries. Findings from the Umbulsari Community Health Center revealed that most mothers had below-normal nutritional status during pregnancy, and stunted toddlers averaged 7.3 dental caries. It was concluded that there was a relationship between maternal nutritional status during pregnancy and primary tooth caries in stunted toddlers at the Umbulsari Community Health Center with a weak correlation coefficient and the direction of correlation between variables was negative or inversely proportional.

The Influence of Ionizing Radiation on the Morphological Structure of the Fluoride-Releasing Restorative Materials in Cancer Patients: An In Vitro Study

Radiotherapy plays a key role in the treatment of the early and advanced stages of head and neck cancer. To date, there is still no consensus on the effects of radiotherapy on the mechanical properties of fluoride-releasing restorative materials which can be used in patients undergoing radiotherapy with increased incidence of caries. The fluoride-releasing materials Equia Forte HT and Cention N were compared to the resin-based materials Tetric EvoCeram and Tetric Power Fill. Standard irradiation was performed with a linear accelerator. Vickers microhardness, mass, surface roughness and color were measured before and after irradiation. Cention N and Tetric PowerFill showed stability in the mass, while the surface roughness did not change in any of the examined groups. Resistance to microhardness change was shown by Cention N, Tetric PowerFill and Tetric EvoCeram, and the color change was significant in all groups (p &lt; 0.05). It should be remembered that patients receiving head and neck radiation therapy may experience adverse effects from the treatment, including changes in the mechanical properties of the restorative materials. The obtained results suggest that Cention N can be used as a material in patients undergoing head and neck radiotherapy due to the mechanical stability and depo effect of fluoride release.

Association between high birth weight and dental caries at 4–5 years of age: a birth-cohort study

ObjectiveEarly childhood caries has become a globally crucial oral health problem over the decades. Most studies have discussed the association between low birth weight and early childhood caries; however, studies focusing on high birth weight have been relatively limited. This study aimed to assess the impact of high birth weight on the incidence and severity of dental caries in 4–5-year-old children.Subjects and methodsStudy subjects included 491 children from a birth cohort study at 4–5 years of age. Data on dental caries, prenatal and perinatal factors, and socio-demographic determinants were recorded. Logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were performed to analyze the data. Two-sided P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOf the 491 children, the prevalence of dental caries was 48.7%. High birth weight (≥ 4,000 g) was significantly associated with increased incidence of dental caries (OR, 2.000; CI 95% 1.062–3.765), and the relatively enhanced risk OR was further increased in subjects experiencing caries (dmft ≥ 3) (OR, 2.437; CI 95% 1.306–4.549) compared with the normal birth weight (2,500–3,999 g).ConclusionsHigh birth weight is a risk factor for early childhood caries. Particular attention should be paid to children with birth weight more than or equal to 4,000 g.

Oral Health in Patients Hospitalized Because of Ischemic Stroke.

Background/Objectives: Maintenance of good oral health is relevant to overall health and quality of life. Results of many analyses showed that stroke patients had worse oral health than the control population. The aim of this study was a clinical assessment of oral condition in post-stroke patients and a healthy population. Methods: Oral health was assessed in stroke patients on the first day of ischemic stroke, and in a control group of healthy subjects. The number of teeth, the presence of active carious foci, fillings, and prosthetic restorations were evaluated. To assess oral hygiene, the Approximal Plaque Index (API) was used. In periodontal examinations, the presence of dental deposits, the depth of the existing periodontal pockets, tooth mobility, and the Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) during probing were assessed. Results: Significantly higher mean values of Decayed Teeth (DT), Missing Teeth (MT), and Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) indices were recorded in the study group. The incidence of dental caries, API, and SBI was also significantly higher in the study group. The study and control groups did not differ significantly in the average number of pockets 3 mm deep and deeper and in the frequency of having prosthetic restorations. Conclusions: Oral health and the level of oral hygiene in patients hospitalized because of ischemic stroke, in comparison with that in a healthy population, is not satisfactory. Active interdisciplinary collaboration between various medical specialists in the therapy of patients with general illnesses, including stroke, is strongly recommended.

Low Salivary IgA Levels Against PAc (361-386) as a Risk Factor for Root Caries in Older Adults.

This study aimed to assess the intricate relationship between salivary IgA antibody levels to PAc (361-386) (PPA), mutans streptococci colonization, and root caries development in older adults. This study included 307 participants aged 76 years residing in Niigata city, Japan. Clinical oral examinations were performed at baseline in 2004 and 1 year later, during which the total number of untreated and treated root caries was assessed using the root decayed, filled tooth (DFT) index. The stimulated saliva samples were collected using the spitting method during the baseline survey. Salivary IgA antibody levels to amino acid residues 361-386 of Streptococcus mutans PAc were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analyses, including the χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regressions, were performed to examine the association of increased root DFT with the independent variables. Among the 307 participants (53.1% men), the mean root DFT at baseline was 3.77 ± 3.66, and 36.5% of the study sample exhibited increased root DFT after 1 year with a mean increment of 0.36 ± 0.48. Participants with increase in root DFT after 1 year had significantly higher rates of low PPA levels (≤ 25th percentile) than those without increased root DFT (p = 0.020). Low PPA levels (≤ 25th percentile) were significantly more likely to have an increased risk of root caries development compared with PPA levels > 25th percentile (adjusted OR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.09-3.25). Low PPA levels and root caries incidence correlated significantly, suggesting that low levels of salivary IgA antibody to PAc (361-386) may serve as a risk factor for increased root caries in older adults.