Plaque In Children Research Articles

Assessment of oral hygiene and quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers: an observational clinical study.

This study aimed to evaluate the degrees of dependence and presence of bacterial plaque in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the quality of life of children and their caregivers. This was a cross-sectional observational study. This study included 119 individuals with ASD and their caregivers. Data were collected through a sociodemographic questionnaire, WHOQOL-Bref, and Burden interview to measure quality of life and caregiver burden, respectively. The Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Vie Enfant Imagé questionnaire, adapted in game format, was applied to verify quality of life in children with ASD. An oral clinical examination evaluated the visible plaque index. The collected data were tabulated and organized for statistical analysis with a significance level of 5%. It was observed that 52% of the children had a severity of ASD level 1; 70% were dependent for general activities, and 65% were dependent for oral hygiene. Of the 77 children who thoroughly answered the questionnaire about their quality of life, 64.9% had good quality of life, and 35.1% had scores below 48, that is, low quality of life. In general, the caregivers generally presented quality of life with a rate of 60.95 (good) points on the scale. It was observed that gingival bleeding greater than 30% is two (ASD 2 + ASD 3) to three (ASD 3) times more likely to occur in patients who have higher levels of ASD (P < .004). It was concluded that the quality of life of individuals with ASD was good, that most children are dependent for their daily activities and oral hygiene, and that they showed reasonable plaque control. On the other hand, the caregivers presented low quality of life and moderate burden.

Determination of dysbiosis by the method of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction in chronic catarrhal gingivitis in children.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the microbiota of dento-gingival plaque in children to improve the quality of treatment of chronic catarrhal gingivitis. Materials and Methods: It was examined 16 children aged 9-16 years with a diagnosis of K05.1: chronic gingivitis and 10 persons with intact gums were taken as a comparison group. A clinical dental examination was performed on the study participants and a sample was taken to determine the bacteria in the periodontal plaque. Results: The results of statistical processing of the research data allowed us to establish that in patients with chronic gingivitis, quantitative indicators of the total bacterial mass, Lactobacillus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Gardnerella vaginalis/Prevotella bivia/Porphyromonas spp. in the sample of periodontal plaque significantly exceeded the indicators of healthy patients. It was determined that the examined children with chronic gingivitis, the total number of Lactobacillus spp. significantly exceeds its amount in people with intact gums. Conclusions: The changes in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the main representatives of the microf i lm of dento-gingival plaque, which characterize dysbiosis, are of signif i cant clinical signif i cance. Study of the quantitative characteristics of Lactobacterium spp., Enterobacterium spp., Streptococcacea spp., Gardnerella spp., Prevotella spp., Porphyromonas spp., Eubacteridacea spp., Mycoplasma (hominis + genitalium), Candida spp. is a diagnostic factor in determining the condition of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.

Parental oral health knowledge and plaque index of their children in rural communities of Armenia

Abstract Background While the prevalence of oral diseases in high-income countries is decreasing, the opposite is true in low and middle-income countries. Parental awareness about oral health has been shown to be an important contributor to children's oral health. This study evaluated the association between parental oral health knowledge and the oral health status of their children aged 6-10 years in two rural communities of Armenia. Methods This cross-sectional study included two main components: telephone survey among parents measuring sociodemographic, oral health knowledge, and behavioral variables, and clinical examination of children's oral health. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify the adjusted association between parental oral health knowledge score and children's oral health measured by plaque index. Results A total of 400 pairs of parents and children participated in the study. The mean plaque index among children was 3.1 (out of the maximum 5.0), demonstrating abundant coverage of teeth with plaque. The mean parental knowledge score was 6.9 (out of the maximum 9.0), indicating above-average oral health awareness. The items with the lowest proportion of correct responses were the belief that caries is preventable, the importance of daily flossing, and using fluoride-added toothpaste/water for preventing caries, with 75.1%, 60.4%, and 59.9% of correct answers respectively. The multivariable analysis found negative association between parental oral health knowledge score and children's plaque index (B= -0.24, p = 0.039), when controlling for other significant variables. Conclusions The study confirmed the importance of parental oral health knowledge for the oral health of their children and highlighted the knowledge gaps that should be addressed. The high prevalence of dental plaque among the children emphasized the need for complex interventions, including educational activities, preventive clinical procedures, and improved access to dental care. Key messages • In two rural communities of Armenia, there was a clear link between parental oral health knowledge and oral health status of their primary schoolchildren measured by plaque index. • Well-focused educational interventions targeting parents of primary schoolchildren combined with children’s better access to dental care are recommended for improving their oral health.

Maternal factors associated with early childhood caries among 3–5-year-old children with low socio-economic status in Trishal, Bangladesh

IntroductionEarly Childhood Caries (ECC) is more prevalent in nations where a larger portion of the population resides below the poverty line. This study aimed to evaluate the connections between maternal awareness, attitudes, practices related to oral health, and the occurrence of ECC among children aged 3–5 years in Bangladesh, a low–middle income country with high level of poverty.MethodsThis cross–sectional study recruited mother–child pairs with a focus on children aged 3–5 years from low socioeconomic backgrounds in Trishal, Bangladesh. Data collected included maternal oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Clinical examinations were conducted to check for dental plaque on the upper central incisors' labial surfaces. ECC was identified using the ICDAS II index criteria. Associations between maternal oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and children's plaque score and caries status were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, and adjusting for confounding variables (child's age, gender, mother's age, education, and number of children).ResultsAmong 532 mother-child pairs, 491 (93.2%) mothers were unaware of the role of fluoride in preventing caries, while 516 (97%) recognized the importance of using fluoridated toothpaste during brushing. Additionally, 520 (97.7%) mothers reported not knowing how to brush their child's teeth, and 87 (16.4%) brushed their children's teeth twice daily. Visible dental plaque was observed in 420 (78.9%) children, and 321 (60.3%) had ECC. Higher plaque score increased the odds of ECC in the study population (AOR: 5.617, 95% CI: 3.511–8.987).ConclusionsMothers of preschool children with low socioeconomic status were poorly aware of caries preventive behaviors and had suboptimal oral health practices for their children. The plaque score was the only oral health factor that seems to increase the risk for ECC among children with low socio-economic status in Bangladesh. It is imperative to prioritize support and interventions aimed at improving oral hygiene practices to reduce ECC risk in this population.

Association between neighborhood disadvantage and children's oral health outcomes in urban families in the Chicago area.

The prevalence of childhood caries in urban Chicago, compared with national and state data, indicates that neighborhood context influences oral health. Our objective was to delineate the influence of a child's neighborhood on oral health outcomes that are predictive of caries (toothbrushing frequency and plaque levels). Our study population represents urban, Medicaid-enrolled families in the metropolitan Chicago area. Data were obtained from a cohort of participants (child-parent dyads) who participated in the Coordinated Oral Health Promotion (CO-OP) trial at 12 months of study participation (N = 362). Oral health outcomes included toothbrushing frequency and plaque levels. Participants' neighborhood resource levels were measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI). Linear and logistic regression models were used to measure the influence of ADI on plaque scores and toothbrushing frequency, respectively. Data from 362 child-parent dyads were analyzed. The mean child age was 33.6 months (SD 6.8). The majority of children were reported to brush at least twice daily (n = 228, 63%), but the mean plaque score was 1.9 (SD 0.7), classified as "poor." In covariate-adjusted analyses, ADI was not associated with brushing frequency (0.94, 95% CI 0.84-1.06). ADI was associated with plaque scores (0.05, 95% CI 0.01-0.09, p value = 0.007). Findings support the hypothesis that neighborhood-level factors influence children's plaque levels. Because excessive plaque places a child at high risk for cavities, we recommend the inclusion of neighborhood context in interventions and policies to reduce children's oral health disparities. Existing programs and clinics that serve disadvantaged communities are well-positioned to support caregivers of young children in maintaining recommended oral health behaviors.

Increased Knowledge about Plaque and Tartar in Elementary School Students in Kesambi Village, Tegal Regency

Background: Dental and oral hygiene is a special concern for school-age children. Children who are not used to keeping their teeth and mouth clean will tend to experience dental problems. This problem begins when an imbalance of mineralization and demineralization in children causes microorganisms to enter the mouth. These microorganisms will stick to and develop on the teeth which begins with the appearance of plaque and tartar in children. Riskesdas 2018 data shows that 93% of children in Indonesia experience cavities. The data shows that the level of awareness to maintain dental and oral hygiene is still low, so educational efforts are needed to increase children's knowledge. This study provides media interventions in the form of posters, 3D media, and video playback to children to attract children's attention to understand and improve dental and oral hygiene behavior. Method: This research method uses an experimental method that is directly given to elementary school students in Kesambi Village, Tegal Regency. The number of students who participated in this was 55 people with an age range of 9 - 12 years. This research started by giving a questionnaire, then giving the material, and filling out the questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire will be processed and entered into the SPSS data. Result: Knowledge before and after the extension intervention has increased as evidenced by a significant increase. This is in accordance with the results of the p-value which shows 0.000, which means that there is a significant difference before and after penuluhan. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that counseling about children's plaque and tartar conducted on elementary school students in Kesambi Village is effective because it gets significant results.

The effectiveness of motivational interviewing on the oral health of leukemic children and oral health care knowledge, attitude and practice of their mothers: a hospital-based intervention

BackgroundSome studies suggest a higher effectiveness of motivational interviewing compared to common oral health instruction in healthy individuals. As regards to higher prevalence of dental diseases like early childhood caries, oral mucositis, and gingivitis are reported for leukemic children, the present study aims to compare the effectiveness of educating mothers through MI with the common instruction (CI) for the oral health of children with leukemia under six years old.MethodThis quasi-experimental study was designed in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, School of Dentistry and conducted on 61 mothers with leukemic children under age six hospitalized in Mahak Hospital and Rehabilitation Complex which is a Pediatric Cancer Research and Hospital Center, in 2021. Mother and child pairs were allocated to MI or CI (using pamphlets) groups. Data was collected using a questionnaire of mothers’ knowledge, attitude, motivation, and practice concerning oral health care in leukemic children. The children underwent clinical examination to assess plaque index before and three months after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA) by ANCOVA test.ResultsThe preschoolers mean ages were 4.23 ± 1.41 and 4.32 ± 1.33 (ranged from 2 to 6 years old) in the MI and CI group, respectively. There were 16 girls (53.3%) and 14 boys (46.7%) in the MI group, and 15 girls (48.4%) and 16 boys (51.6%) in the CI group. Significant differences were observed in the amount of plaque index between the MI group and the CI group (0.20 ± 0.04, p-value < 0.001). A significant increase was observed in the mean of changes in scores of knowledge, attitude, motivation, mother’s practice concerning child’s oral health, mother’s practice concerning personal oral health in the MI group (p-value < 0.001).ConclusionsConsidering that instruction using MI showed to be effective in improving oral health adherence in mothers and reducing plaque in children with Leukemia, it may be recommended as a promising method to promote the oral health of such susceptible children in places that they are constantly present for treatment.Trial registrationThe study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) on 11.03.2021 (code: IRCT20131102015238N5).

Fungal composition in saliva and plaque in children with caries: Differences and influencing factors

Caries is a dental disease that can affect oral and psychological health and has a high incidence in children. The role of fungal flora in childhood caries has not been fully described. In this study, we aimed to investigate the fungal composition differences and the influencing factors in unstimulated saliva (S) and supragingival plaque (P) samples in childhood caries. S and P samples were collected from 63 children with caries. The ITS2 region in the fungal genome was then amplified and sequenced. Subsequently, we quantified and analyzed the fungal compositions in the samples. Cryptococcus was the most abundant genus in the S and P subgroups. The relative abundances of Cryptococcus and Wickerhamomyces significantly differed between the S and P subgroups (p ​< ​0.05). Significant differences were also observed in alpha and beta diversities between the two subgroups (p ​< ​0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the mycobiome of the SFe and SMa subgroups or the PFe and PMa subgroups (p ​> ​0.05). Conversely, species differences were detected between the SDD and SMD subgroups (p ​< ​0.05) but not in the PDD and PPD subgroups (p ​> ​0.05). Our findings revealed significant differences in the mycobiome of unstimulated saliva and supragingival plaque. Dentition period and oral hygiene behaviors may have affected these differences.

Уровень гигиенических знаний родителей и стоматологическое здоровье детей в г. Архангельске

The aim of this research was to assess oral health literacy (OHL) among parents living in Arkhangelsk (Russia) and to study its correlation with children’s oral health. Materials and methods. We examined 125 children aged 3–14 years during their visit to the dental clinic of Northern State Medical University. Parental OHL was studied with the help of a self-administered questionnaire. Caries prevalence was assessed, depending on age, using the decay-filled (df) index for primary dentition, decay-missing-filled (DMF) index for permanent dentition, and df + DMF index. Oral hygiene was studied using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Correlation analysis with Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized to establish the relationship between the parameters under study. Results. The majority of parents (53.6 %) demonstrated low or very low OHL levels, mean score being 12.2 points out of 30. Caries prevalence among children was 97.6 %, mean df, df + DMF and DMF values were 7.3, 7.6 and 7.8, respectively. The majority of children had decompensated (44.0 %) or subcompensated (38.4 %) forms of caries (classification by T.F. Vinogradova). Mean OHI-S was 1.8 (poor level of oral hygiene). An inverse correlation between parental OHL and caries experience in children was identified (r = −0.178; p = 0.047). Lower parental OHL was statistically significantly associated with more dental plaque in children (r = −0.307; p &lt; 0.001); higher OHI-S was associated with greater levels of caries experience (r = 0.494; p &lt; 0.001). The findings provide an evidence base for promoting health and hygiene literacy among parents in order to preserve oral health and prevent caries in children.

Candida species and selected behavioral factors co-associated with severe early childhood caries: Case-control study.

Severe Early Childhood Caries (sECC) is a multifactorial disease associated with the occurrence of specific oral microorganisms and other environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors. This study aimed to construct a multivariable model including the occurrence of Candida spp. and selected behavioral factors (length of breastfeeding, serving sweet beverages and beginning of brushing child’s teeth) to determine their relationships to the occurrence of sECC.In this case-control study 164 children with sECC and 147 children without dental caries were included. MALDI-TOF MS and multiplex qPCR were used to identify Candida spp. and selected bacteria in dental plaque samples, respectively. A questionnaire on oral hygiene, diet, and children’s health was filled in by the parents.The constructed multivariable logistic regression model showed an independent influence of the microbial and behavioral factors in sECC etiopathogenesis. The occurrence of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis was associated with higher odds of sECC development (odds ratio, OR: 9.62 and 16.93, respectively), together with breastfeeding of 6 months or less (OR: 2.71), exposure to sweet beverages (OR: 3.77), and starting to brush child’s teeth after the 12th month of age (OR: 4.10), all statistically significant (p < 0.01).Considering the high occurrence of C. albicans and C. dubliniensis in dental plaque in children with sECC, we propose them as “keystone pathogens” and risk factors for sECC. The models showed that presence of specific species of Candida in dental plaque may be a better descriptor of sECC than the mentioned behavioral factors.

Comparing the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and virulence factors cagA, vacA, and dupA in supra-gingival dental plaques of children with and without dental caries: a case–control study

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori infection is one of the most common infectious diseases in humans. Dental plaque is considered as a reservoir of this bacterium, which could play an important role in the development of gastrointestinal problems. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori and its virulence factors in dental plaques in children with and without dental caries.MethodsAmong children aged 6 to 12 years, a total of 72 children were enrolled in the study, including 36 cases with total DMFT/dmft > 3 (case group) and 36 participants with total DMFT/dmft < 1 (control group). After removing supra-gingival plaques from the lower first permanent molar teeth, the samples were examined using PCR method for the presence of H. pylori and some of its virulence factors. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square, Fisher' exact test, t-tests, and logistic regression.ResultsOf 72 participants, 40 cases were male, and 32 cases were female. The minimum and maximum values of total DMFT/dmft indices were zero and ten, respectively, and the mean ± SD value of total DMFT/dmft was 2.78 ± 3.22. Except for vegetable consumption (p = 0.045), there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding gastrointestinal disorders, feeding methods in infancy (p = 0.058), frequency of daily brushing (p = 0.808), frequency of dental visits (p = 0.101), and history of dental scaling (p = 0.246) and professional topical fluoride therapy (p = 0.5). Out of 72 samples, 15 cases were positive for H. pylori DNA (20.8%), and there was no significant association between the presence of this bacterium in dental plaque and dental caries (p = 0.281). The frequency of virulence factors detected in 15 H. pylori cases was as follows: cagA in six cases (40.0%), vacAm1 in three cases (20.0%), and vacAs1 in one case (6.7%). There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the prevalence of virulence factors.ConclusionOur results indicate the presence of H. pylori along with some virulence factors in dental plaques as a reservoir of this bacterium in children in Iran. Although there was no significant association between this bacterium and the incidence of dental caries, dental health in children needs to be seriously taken into consideration.

Quantity of the antigens of Streptococcus mutans serotype e and Candida albicans and its correlation with the salivary flow rate in early childhood caries.

Background:Streptococcus mutans involved in caries pathogenesis is classified into four serotypes, namely serotypes c, e, f, and k. Candida albicans can be found in the plaque of children with early childhood caries (ECC). Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze the quantity of the antigens of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans and its correlation with the salivary flow rate in ECC.Materials and Methods:The antigen quantities of caries plaque samples and caries-free were determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay with 450-nm optical density.Results:There was a significant difference between the quantity of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans antigens in each salivary flow rate category (P < 0.05). The relationship between the antigen quantity of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans was r = 0.624 (P > 0.05) for caries plaque samples and r = 0.628 (P > 0.05) for caries-free samples.Conclusion:the antigen quantities of S. mutans serotype e and C. albicans and the salivary flow rate might correlate to the pathogenesis of ECC.

Psoriasis in Pediatric Age Group.

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, immune-mediated, multisystem, inflammatory disorder. It affects all age groups, including infancy. In one-third of the cases, the onset of the disease is in the first and second decades of life. Childhood psoriasis significantly affects the quality of life of the child as well as that of the entire family. Pediatric psoriasis has distinct clinical presentations and evolves with time. Like in adults, chronic plaque psoriasis has been found to be the most common type of childhood psoriasis. Psoriatic plaques in children are less pruritic, smaller and thinner with less prominent scaling. In pigmented skin, the erythema is less prominent and plaques appear violaceous or hyperpigmented. Pediatric psoriasis can be associated with arthritis, metabolic syndrome, depression and anxiety. Hence all children should be screened routinely for associated comorbidities. Management of pediatric psoriasis is challenging owing to the limitation of approved therapies. 'Proactive therapy' is a recent approach in childhood-onset psoriasis that would help to prevent the severity of flare-ups, thus improving the quality of life.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Triphala Oral Spray in Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment- A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Malocclusion is one of the most susceptible causes of the development of periodontal diseases and dental caries in young individuals undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. It provides a surface area for the accumulation of food particles, which further leads to plaque formation. Various mechanical and chemical aids are used regularly to decrease the microbial load and accumulation of plaque. Chemical adjuncts such as chlorhexidine mouthwash are widely used as antimicrobial agents that have significant efficacy against oral Streptococci and Actinomyces species. Herbal agents have replaced conventional medications due to the development of antibiotic resistance. Among herbal medicaments, Triphala is the well-known drug formulation that can be used as an adjuvant for commercially available chemical aid. Chlorhexidine mouth wash requires the assistance of the caregivers. Therefore, there is a need for a newer modality to maintain oral hygiene in patients undertaking orthodontic corrections.&#x0D; Objectives: 1. To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of Triphala oral spray on Streptococcus mutants levels in children undergoing orthodontic treatment. 2. To evaluate the efficacy of Triphala oral spray in reducing dental plaque in children undergoing orthodontic treatment. 3. To evaluate the efficacy of Triphala oral spray reducing gingivitis in children undergoing orthodontic treatment.&#x0D; Methodology: A randomized control trial will be done among – participants with the age group of 10 to 15 years of age. A total of 25 children were included in the study. The participants will be told to use the spray two times a day for one week. After 7 days, plaque index and the gingival index will be re-recorded, and plaque samples will be collected for post-intervention microbial analysis.&#x0D; Results: Triphala-based oral spray will effectively reduce plaque score, reduce gingival inflammation, and show inhibitory effects on microbial count.&#x0D; Conclusion: Triphala oral spray can be used as an adjuvant by the orthodontic patients for reduction of the microbial load. It also provides better acceptability by the children as it does not require any assistance of the caregivers.

Microbiome of Saliva and Plaque in Children According to Age and Dental Caries Experience.

Dental caries are one of the chronic diseases caused by organic acids made from oral microbes. However, there was a lack of knowledge about the oral microbiome of Korean children. The aim of this study was to analyze the metagenome data of the oral microbiome obtained from Korean children and to discover bacteria highly related to dental caries with machine learning models. Saliva and plaque samples from 120 Korean children aged below 12 years were collected. Bacterial composition was identified using Illumina HiSeq sequencing based on the V3–V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Ten major genera accounted for approximately 70% of the samples on average, including Streptococcus, Neisseria, Corynebacterium, and Fusobacterium. Differential abundant analyses revealed that Scardovia wiggsiae and Leptotrichia wadei were enriched in the caries samples, while Neisseria oralis was abundant in the non-caries samples of children aged below 6 years. The caries and non-caries samples of children aged 6–12 years were enriched in Streptococcus mutans and Corynebacterium durum, respectively. The machine learning models based on these differentially enriched taxa showed accuracies of up to 83%. These results confirmed significant alterations in the oral microbiome according to dental caries and age, and these differences can be used as diagnostic biomarkers.

Clinical Study of the Change of pH Level in the Supragingival Plaque in Children after Taking Homeopathic Remedies

Abstract Objective: There are numerous publications on the parameters of conventional medications, which contribute to their cariogenic and erosive potential. Little is known about the homeopathic remedies (HR) and the changes in the oral cavity they lead to, especially during childhood. Material and methods: The study involved 25 children (5-9 years of age). It monitored the change in plaque pH level after intake of three frequently used homeopathic remedies in five consecutive weeks. The pH level values were measured after the administration of the remedies, without HR intake, and after rinsing with 10% sucrose solution. Five groups were formed – two controls and three groups with results from the tested HR. Results: A drop in the plaque pH level was observed after intake of all HR and in all tested individuals. The biggest decrease was observed at the 15th minute for all HR. At the 30th minute the greatest decrease was observed with the second remedy, and at 60th minute – with the first and second. Conclusions: A dramatic decrease in the plaque pH level was observed after intake of each studied remedy. In many cases the drop was below the critical value of pH = 5.5. The low plaque pH values were maintained even at the 60th minute after the start of the study.

Употребление сладкой пищи как фактор риска нарушения обменных процессов в эмали зуба у детей и возможность улучшения стоматологического здоровья

Objective. To determine the specificity of sweet food intake by adolescents of the city of Voronezh in accordance with the European Global Oral Health Indicators Development (EGOHID 2005), taking into consideration their morphobiochemical studies of dental plaque and dental enamel. Patients and methods. Dental examination of 200 schoolchildren of Voronezh aged 12–15 years without concomitant somatic pathologies was performed, and in most of them pigmented fissures were visualised on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, which corresponded to enamel or dentinal caries. Also, an anonymous survey was conducted using the WHO questionnaires (2013). The EGOHID 2005 system was used to assess the objective and subjective criteria of the dental health of children and adolescents. For verification of the morphological structures of the enamel of 15 teeth extracted due to orthodontical indications we used x-ray spectroscopy with microchemical analysis. Biopolymers and hyaluronic acid were determined by light microscopy. Quantitative assessment of stained microscopic specimens of tooth slices was based on the ImageJ program. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in smears of dental plaque were detected using a clinical microscopic method with ferric chloride. We assessed the cariogenic potential of dental plaque immediately and 1 hour after intake of one candy using a colorimetric assay with assessment of a change in methylene red stain on the teeth according to a 3-point scale. Results. During a sample survey conducted among children and adolescents, the prevalence of tooth caries was 84%, sweets were often consumed by 79% of children, sweet beverages by 58%, as a rule, between main meals. The cariogenic potential of dental plaque in children who consumed sweets during meals increases to 3 on the 3-point scale, the content of SCFAs in this plaque corresponds to 0.10 ± 0.05 OD units. After one hour, the cariogenic potential of dental plaque decreased to 1 point, the SCFAs content increased to 0.32 ± 0.01. Conclusion. Frequent consumption of fast-absorbing carbohydrates promoted formation of a cariogenic condition in the mouth, therefore, intake of sweets can be recommended only during breakfast, lunch and dinner. The main principle of correcting the eating behaviour for prevention of enamel caries consists in replacement of sugar-containing foods and beverages that are consumed during intervals between main meals by such with no added sugar. Key words: dental bacterial plaque, dental canaliculus, biopolymers and hyaluronic acid of enamel, fast-absorbing carbohydrates, dental plaque, biofilm

Evaluation of the Effect of Probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 on Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli Levels in Saliva and Plaque: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study in Children.

Background Probiotic organisms are known to reduce caries causing microorganisms mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. Aim of the Study. To evaluate the effect of probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 on mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels in saliva and plaque in children. Introduction Dental caries or tooth decay is because of the demineralization of the tooth enamel leading to the breakdown of the enamel causing cavities to be formed. Demineralization of the tooth happens because of the acid secreted by bacteria like mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. It is now suggested that probiotic usage prevents the overgrowth of these pathogenic microbes, thereby reducing caries activity. Methodology. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 48 children with ages ranging from 5 to 15 years were divided into two groups, the probiotic and placebo groups. Chewable tablets with and without probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 were administered for two weeks. Stimulated saliva samples and plaque were collected at baseline and at the end of 14 days to measure the pH, mutans streptococci, and lactobacilli count of saliva and plaque using chairside kits. Results A statistically significant reduction in mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts of both saliva and plaque samples was observed in the B. coagulans Unique IS2 treated group after 14 days of administration compared to the baseline and placebo group (using paired t-test). Conclusion Probiotic Bacillus coagulans Unique IS2 (2 billion cfu) chewable tablet is effective in reduction and inhibition of caries causing mutans streptococci and lactobacilli levels in saliva and plaque in children.

Effectiveness of Extension Based on Irene,s Donut Android Version Application on Dental and Mouth Health Status

Dental health problems often found in children are dental caries. Poor dental health status such as caries that is not treated will cause the child's quality of life to decline. Dental health education aims to tackle dental health problems, the community groups are given motivation in how to maintain dental health. Irene’s Donut application is a caries risk simulator (SRK) of the Inter Active program, which is a communication tool between health workers and parents of students, so that dental health education to parents or students is more interesting and effective. This type of research is quasi-experimental or quasi-experimental, with One Group Pre-Test Post-Design Test design. The population and sample in this study were kindergarten students in the Ilir Barat I Region of Palembang City. Data obtained using the T test method, used normally distributed data. The results showed there were differences between the dental and oral health status of children before and after counseling with the Android version of Irene’s Donut. The statistical tets result showed a significant Based on Irene’s Donut application, the Android version is effective in reducing plaque in children in kindergarten, Ilir Barat I District, Palembang

Programa educativo sobre prevención en salud bucal en niños menores de cinco años

El objetivo de la investigación fue mejorar el nivel de conocimiento de técnicas preventivas en salud bucal mediante el Programa Educativo denominado “Boquitas sanas, caritas felices” en niños menores de 5 años en situación de vulnerabilidad en Puno (Perú). Estudio fue de tipo experimental, longitudinal y prospectivo con pre y post prueba utilizando método educativo y comunicativo. Para evaluar la higiene oral en los niños fue empleado el índice simplificado de Greene -Vermillion y un cuestionario validado denominado “Salud bucal para padres de familia”. Del análisis de los resultados destaca que el mencionado programa debe ser considerado en prevención y promoción de la salud bucal, ya que promueve el conocimiento óptimo en la población adulta que se evidenció en la salud bucal de los niños menores de 5 años al finalizar la intervención. Se concluye que un programa educativo sobre prevención en salud bucal mejora el nivel de conocimiento de los padres de familia sobre la salud oral de sus hijos, disminuyendo la placa bacteriana en los niños, evidenciado en un positivo índice de higiene oral después de la intervención.