Use Of Toothpaste Research Articles

The relationship between dental caries and vision impairment based on the DMFT Index: A literature review

Objectives: This study aims to explore the relationship between dental caries and vision impairment, specifically in individuals assessed using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. The research focuses on identifying the prevalence of dental caries, factors influencing oral health, and the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in maintaining good oral hygiene. Methods: A literature review method was employed to gather data from international scientific journal articles accessed through databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. Keywords used for the search included "Dental Caries", "Vision Impairment", and "DMFT". Only articles published in the last ten years (2015-2024) were considered. The selected studies were analyzed to draw conclusions regarding the oral health status of visually impaired individuals. Results: The review found a consistently high prevalence of dental caries among individuals with visual impairments, with mean DMFT scores ranging from 1.23 to 2.71. Contributing factors include difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene, limited access to dental care, lack of awareness about proper brushing techniques, and dietary habits such as frequent snacking. Gender differences were noted, with female participants generally showing poorer oral health outcomes. Conclusion: The study highlights the significant oral health challenges faced by visually impaired individuals, including a high prevalence of dental caries. Interventions focusing on education for both caregivers and patients, improved access to dental care, and preventive measures such as fluoride toothpaste use are crucial. This study emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the quality of life and health outcomes for visually impaired individuals.

Polymer-Based Toothpastes and Their Ability in Control Tooth Extrinsic Stain.

To synthesize experimental toothpastes (ETs) containing four different polymers (sodium linear polyphosphate [LPP]; chitosan [CHI]; sodium hexametaphosphate [HMP]; and sodium pyrophosphate [PP]) and test their ability in preventing and removing tooth extrinsic stain. The tooth specimens were randomly assigned into six groups (n = 10): control (artificial saliva), regular toothpaste (RT-no whitening claim), ET 5% LPP, ET 0.5% CHI, ET 5% HMP, and ET 5% PP. Each cycle consisted of chlorhexidine (2 min), staining broth (30 min), artificial saliva (30 min), brushing (45 strokes), and artificial saliva (30 min). Color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) were assessed at baseline and after 21 cycles. ΔEab, ΔE00, ΔWID, ΔL, Δa, and Δb were analyzed through ANOVA and Tukey test, at a 5% significance level. ET 5% PP showed lower ΔEab and ΔE00 than the control and RT (p < 0.01). For ΔWID, PP showed a higher value. For ΔL (p = 0.265) and Δb (p = 0.119), there were no significant differences among the groups. For Δa (p = 0.01), ET 5% PP showed a difference with the control. The ETs showed a similar effect in preventing and removing tooth extrinsic stains. However, the sodium pyrophosphate-containing toothpaste was the only one with a superior effect in comparison with RT or brushing without toothpaste. The use of toothpastes for managing tooth extrinsic stains is a common approach in dentistry. In addition to the abrasives, their effect can be further enhanced by the presence of some polymers. Toothpastes containing sodium pyrophosphate demonstrated a superior ability to control tooth extrinsic stains.

Effect of herbal toothpaste on the colour stability, surface roughness, and microhardness of aesthetic restorative materials—an in vitro study

Abstract Objective To evaluate the in vitro effects of two commonly used commercial herbal toothpastes (Dabur Meswak and Patanjali Dant Kanti) on the colour stability, surface texture, and microhardness of two commonly used aesthetic restorative materials, i.e., nanofilled composite and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (NFC and RMGIC). Materials and methods The samples were brushed twice daily using two herbal toothpastes, Dabur Meswak (Dabur India Ltd) and Patanjali Dant Kanti (Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, India) and powered toothbrush. Atomic force microscopy, spectroscopy, and digital micro hardness testing were used to estimate the changes in the surface roughness, colour change, and hardness of the samples, respectively, at baseline and after six months. Results Regarding colour change, a statistically significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) was observed between baseline and six months in both the RMGIC and NFC for both herbal toothpastes. Both RMGIC and NFC had higher Ra values when brushed with either toothpaste, indicating a rough surface. The greatest increase in the mean difference in microhardness was observed for the Patanjali Dant Kanti toothpaste samples brushed on both NFC and RMGIC. Conclusion In our work, herbal toothpaste increased surface roughness and microhardness and caused colour changes in the two most commonly used aesthetic restorative materials. Clinical relevance Herbal toothpastes affect the surface texture of aesthetic dental restorative materials. Dental professionals may need to educate their patients to be cautious regarding the prolonged use of herbal toothpaste.

The influence of social support, oral health beliefs and health behaviours on dental caries in children living in deprived neighbourhoods.

This study assessed the influence of social support, oral health beliefs and health behaviours on dental caries incidence among children living in underprivileged neighbourhoods. Data from a cohort study with 12-year-old schoolchildren (N=312) selected from public schools in Manaus, Brazil, and their parents or guardians was analyzed. Socioeconomic characteristics, sex, oral health beliefs, social support (SSA questionnaire), oral health-related behaviours (sugar consumption, frequency of toothbrushing, use of fluoride toothpaste) and dental caries (DMFT index) were assessed at age 12 years. Dental caries incidence over 12 month period was registered according to the number of new cavitated teeth. The hypothesis was that socioeconomic disadvantage, lower social support, unfavourable oral health beliefs, and inadequate behaviours would increase the risk of dental caries incidence Statistical analysis was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. Unfavourable oral health beliefs indirectly predicted higher dental caries incidence (β = 0.041) via sugar consumption and frequency of toothbrushing. Unfavourable oral health beliefs directly predicted higher sugar consumption (β = 0.148) and lower frequency of toothbrushing (β = -0.218). Lower frequency of toothbrushing directly predicted higher dental caries incidence (β = -0.140). Sex (β =-0.017) and social support (β =-0.016) were indirectly linked to dental caries incidence. Our findings suggest that incidence of dental caries in socially underprivileged children results from the complex relationships between social support, oral health beliefs and oral health behaviours.

Fluoride exposure and risk of fractures: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction Fluoride (F) is a widespread natural element, whose exposure occurs mostly through drinking water, fluoridated foods and use of toothpastes. At high levels, it may adversely affect human health by altering thyroid and cognitive function in children, and inducing dental and skeletal fluorosis. Since bone health significantly impacts quality of life, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of F exposure on risk of bone fractures. Methods We conducted a literature search in online databases and selected studies that were carried out in humans and reported risk estimates with 95% confidence intervals for bone fractures according to F exposure. We eventually performed a meta-analysis using a random effects model, comparing the highest versus the lowest exposure, and one-stage dose-response model, to explore the shape of the association. Results Of the 1052 potentially eligible articles, 28 were included in the quantitative analyses. Most studies were conducted in adults (n = 26) and in Western countries (North America=16, Europe=11) and assessed fluoride exposure in drinking water, urine, serum, toenail or diet. The preliminary dose-response curve showed a positive non-linear relation between F exposure through drinking water and bone fracture risk, regardless of site, starting at 1.5 mg/L. Sex-stratified analyses, based on a lower number of studies, showed similar trends, with an indication of higher susceptibility in males compared with females. Conclusions Overall, risk of bone fractures appears to non-linearly increase along with exposure to fluoride in drinking water, regardless of bone site and sex, at levels of exposure above the WHO standard and similar to those that have associated to altered thyroid and cognitive function. Under a public health perspective, fluoride in drinking water should be kept below 1.5 mg/L to prevent bone fractures. Key messages • Our analysis revealed a positive non-linear association between fluoride in drinking water and bone fracture risk. • Public Health actions should be oriented in keeping fluoride in drinking water below 1.5 mg/L to prevent bone fractures.

Socio-behavioural associates of Early Childhood Caries among preschool children aged three to four years in Gampaha district, Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study

BackgroundEarly Childhood Caries (ECC) is a highly prevalent disease among preschoolers in Sri Lanka, with stagnated prevalence over the decades. Therefore, it is important to determine the socio-behavioural associations of ECC among preschoolers to reduce the country’s ECC burden.MethodsA cross-sectional study with a multistage cluster sampling technique was used to select 3 to 4 year-old preschoolers/mothers dyads in Gampaha district in 2019. Preschoolers who completed third birthday and had not completed fifth birthday on the day of data collection were selected. The dependent variable was the presence (dmft ≥ 1) or absence (dmft = 0) of ECC. Independent variables were sex, monthly family income, mother’s educational and occupational status, child’s birth order, family type, frequency of consumption of sweets and sweetened drinks, time of sweet consumption during the last 24 h, toothbrushing frequency, supervision of toothbrushing, dental visit, and maternal dental caries. A pre-tested validated questionnaire was used. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used.ResultsTotal of 1038 preschoolers were selected. There were 529 females (51.0%) and 509 males (49.0%). The prevalence of ECC was 56.3% (95% CI: 53.1–59.3). Consuming sweets between meals had a higher odds ratio than consuming sweets after main meals (OR = 1.72, 95% CI:1.25–2.35), consumption of sweets every day had a higher odds ratio than consumption of sweets several times a week or less (OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 2.02–4.13), consumption of sweetened drinks every day had a higher odds ratio than consumption of sweetened drinks several times a week or less (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.07–2.79), and the presence of maternal caries had a higher odds ratio than the absence of maternal caries (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.12–2.69). The use of adult fluoridated toothpaste than not using adult fluoridated toothpaste (OR = 0.64, 95% CI:0.48–0.85), tooth brushing twice per day than not brushing twice per day (OR = 0.67, 95% CI:0.51–0.89), and supervised toothbrushing than unsupervised toothbrushing (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41–0.93) was negatively associated with ECC.ConclusionsECC is highly associated with sweet consumption and oral hygiene behaviours among preschoolers in Gampaha District. Interventions should focus on the oral health behaviours of preschoolers to reduce ECC burden.

Problematic screen exposure and oral health in preschool children: a comparison study

ObjectivesRecent studies have highlighted the association between problematic screen exposure (PSE) in preschool children and various health issues. This study aims to determine the relationship between PSE and oral/dental health as well as parafunctional oral habits in this population.MethodsHealthy children aged 3 to 6 years who visited the pediatric dentistry outpatient clinic were included in the study. PSE was evaluated using the parent-reported ‘Seven-in-Seven-Screen-Exposure Questionnaire’. An intraoral examination was conducted to record the number of decated, missing, and filled teeth, along with scores from the International Caries Detection and Assessment System II (ICDAS II), as well as dental plaque and gingival indices.ResultsA total of 210 mother–child pairs were included in the study, comprising 70 pairs with PSE and 140 pairs without PSE. The sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of daily tooth brushing behaviors, use of children's toothpaste, and regular dental examinations were statistically evaluated between the PSE and non-PSE group (p > 0.05). Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of having abnormal oral habits (p > 0.05). In the PSE group, the median scores for gingival and plaque index were significantly higher (p = 0.011 and p = 0.006, respectively). The median number of decayed teeth was significantly higher in the PSE group (p = 0.039).ConclusionsTurkish preschool children with PSE were found to have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing poor oral health. Consequently, it is essential to conduct oral health examinations for Turkish preschool children exhibiting PSE. The study may have clinical implications for the evaluation of preschool children with problematic media use within dental practice.

Access to dental services and use of toothpaste with optimal fluoride content in Peruvian children

BackgroundLeading international health organizations advise using toothpaste that contains at least 1,000 parts per million of fluoride, emphasizing that this practice should begin with the eruption of the first primary tooth.AimTo determine the association between access to dental services and the use of toothpaste with 1,000 ppm fluoride or more in Peruvian children under twelve years of age.Materials and methodsA cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the 2021 Demographic and Family Health Survey. The main variable studied was the use of toothpaste containing a fluoride concentration of 1,000 ppm or more. Additionally, the access to dental care, the time elapsed since the last dental visit, and the type of healthcare facility were analyzed. Multilevel regression was applied to examine the relationship between variables and the dependent variable, with Peru's 24 regions serving as the analytical level.ResultsAccording to the bivariate analysis, the natural region, area of residence, place of residence, wealth index, and age were associated with the use of fluoride toothpaste with 1,000 ppm or more. In the multilevel analysis, the access to dental services was not associated with the use of fluoride toothpaste with 1,000 ppm or more (p = 0.454); similarly, the time elapsed since the last dental visit also showed no association (p = 0.676), as did the type of healthcare facility (p = 0.752, p = 0.896, p = 0.983).ConclusionAccessing dental services, the time elapsed since the last dentist visit, and the location where that care was received were not associated with the use of toothpaste containing 1,000 ppm or more of fluoride among Peruvian children during the year 2021.

Impact of public health and patient-centered prevention strategies on periodontitis and caries as causes of tooth loss in high-income countries.

In high-income countries, the oral health of the population is influenced by public health interventions, widespread use of oral care products, dental practice measures, and the cost of dental treatment. We compiled information on changes of the prevalence of proximal and upstream determinants of periodontitis, caries, and tooth loss over the last three decades to outline their potential effects on changes of oral health during this period. Information was retrieved from repeated cross-sectional studies and from published literature. While both the prevalence of edentulism and the number of missing teeth (from the DMF-T index) decreased, the number of sound teeth as well as the total number of teeth increased. The prevalence of severe periodontitis was unchanged, whereas the prevalence of periodontal health and moderate periodontitis may have increased to a minor extent. Concerning oral health risk factors, the proportion of individuals with tertiary education increased, while smoking prevalence declined. More and more people used oral care products. Whether one reimbursement system worked better than another one in terms of tooth retention could not be elucidated. In tooth retention, population-wide use of fluoridated toothpastes had the greatest impact. To some extent, the higher number of teeth present may be related to the more frequent use of interdental cleaning aids and powered toothbrushes. Since there was no decrease in severe periodontitis in most cohorts, periodontal interventions probably contributed little to improved tooth retention.

Oral Hygiene Improvements by a Novel Zinc Toothpaste—Results from a 6-Week Randomized Clinical Study amongst Community-Dwelling Adults

Objective: This clinical investigation evaluated oral health improvements after the use of a novel zinc toothpaste in comparison to a control after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of use. Clinical assessments of gingivitis, bleeding and dental plaque evaluated oral health. Methods: Healthy adults meeting the study criteria (plaque index scores ≥ 1.5 and gingival index scores ≥ 1.0) were randomized into a treatment group with 74 participants assigned to the test and 73 participants assigned to the control groups. With the assigned toothpaste, subjects were instructed to brush at home twice a day for one minute. Subjects were evaluated clinically for gingivitis, plaque and bleeding at the baseline, employing 3-week and 6-week examinations. Results: All one hundred and forty-seven (147) subjects completed the 6-week study with no significant differences between groups at baseline (p &gt; 0.05). The test demonstrated progressive improvements at the 3-week and 6-week evaluations as compared to the control (p &lt; 0.001). In comparison to the control, the test demonstrated reductions of 13.4%, 17.0% and 55.3% for gingivitis, dental plaque and gingival bleeding, respectively, at the final visit (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: Clinical improvements in gingivitis, dental plaque and gingival bleeding were registered in the group assigned the test toothpaste as compared to the control. The test toothpaste demonstrated statistically significant and progressively improving gingivitis, dental plaque and gingival bleeding scores that were all statistically significant versus the control at each post-treatment assessment.

Oral health in obese children common findings, prevention, treatment and outcome

Childhood obesity is a significant global public health issue, closely linked to various oral health challenges, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and malocclusion. Obese children are more prone to these dental problems due to dietary habits that include high sugar and carbohydrate intake, poor oral hygiene practices, and systemic inflammation. This review explores the common oral health issues faced by obese children and emphasizes the importance of preventive strategies and tailored treatment approaches. Preventive measures include promoting healthy dietary habits, improving oral hygiene practices, and ensuring regular dental check-ups. Dietary modifications, such as reducing the intake of sugary snacks and beverages, play a crucial role in preventing tooth decay and other dental problems. Educating children and caregivers about proper brushing and flossing techniques and the use of fluoride toothpaste and dental sealants further supports oral health. Regular dental visits allow for early detection and management of dental issues, with professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and appropriate restorative and periodontal therapies being integral components of care. The outcomes of these comprehensive treatment strategies are generally positive, leading to improved oral health and overall quality of life for obese children. Multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers, including dentists, pediatricians, and nutritionists, is essential to develop effective care plans that address both obesity and oral health. This integrated approach ensures that obese children receive holistic care that promotes lifelong healthy habits, reducing the risk of future dental and systemic health problems. The review underscores the necessity of a concerted effort to address the intertwined issues of obesity and oral health in children, highlighting the potential for significant health improvements through targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

STRATEGIES TO MINIMIZE TOOTH SENSITIVITY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING TOOTH WHITENING: An integrative review

Teeth whitening is one of the most sought-after aesthetic procedures in modern dentistry, providing patients with a whiter and more attractive smile. However, one of the most common side effects associated with this treatment is tooth sensitivity, which can cause significant discomfort and even discourage patients from proceeding with the procedure. Due to the occurrence of this problem, this study aimed to investigate and evaluate strategies to minimize tooth sensitivity after whitening procedures. This study refers to an integrative review, which was guided by the following research question: "What are the most effective strategies for reducing post-bleaching sensitivity?" To achieve the proposed objective, inclusion criteria were applied to select articles from the Google Scholar, PubMed, and BVS databases, published in Portuguese and English between 2014 and 2023, that are relevant to the study. Various approaches were examined, including the use of desensitizing agents and modifications to clinical protocols. Among the evaluated methods, some were found to be ineffective, such as oral medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, corticosteroids, and certain specific toothpastes, while others, such as the use of specific toothpastes and the combination of GLUMA with laser, demonstrated effectiveness in reducing post-whitening sensitivity. he results indicate that sensitivity can be reduced with the application of appropriate strategies, improving patient acceptance and satisfaction with the treatment. Each case should be individually considered, with the evaluation of other factors that may influence the response to the treatment.

Oral health behavior of pregnant women in Nigeria: a scoping review

BackgroundOral health care behaviors during pregnancy affects maternal and child health outcomes. This scoping review sought to map the existing literature on the oral healthcare behaviors of pregnant women in Nigeria.MethodsPubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, EBSCOHOST, Sabinet, African Index Medicus, and Scopus data based were searched in August 2023. Articles with reports on the oral health behavior of pregnant women in Nigeria, published in English in peer review were included in the review. Articles whose full lengths could not be accessed, and commentaries on studies, and letters to the editor were also excluded. Data on authors and year of publication of the study, study location, study objective, study design, methodological approach for data collection, and study outcomes were extracted and descriptively synthesized.ResultsThe search yielded a total of 595 articles of which 573 were unique. Only 21 articles were left after titles and abstracts screening and only 18 articles met the eligibility criteria. The proportion of pregnant women had utilized dental services ranged from 4 to 62.9%, the use of toothbrush and toothpaste ranged from 59.6 to 99.3%, twice daily tooth brushing ranged from 5.2 to 66.9%, and the use of toothbrush among pregnant women in the studies varies from 70.9 to 100%. Chewing stick was used by 0.1–27.7% of study participants. Dental problems such as caries, pain, swollen gums, and excessive salivation were reasons for seeking dental care. We identified individual, structural, and behavioral factors, including myths as barriers for dental service utilization.ConclusionThis scoping review shows that dental service utilization by pregnant women in Nigeria is poor and mainly due to curative than preventive needs. Oral health behaviours also need to be improved through tailored oral health education accessible to pregnant women in Nigeria.

Exploring the state and influential factors of dental caries in preschool children aged 3–6 years in Xingtai City

ObjectiveTo explore the main factors affecting early dental caries among preschool children aged 3–6 years in Xingtai City to formulate effective preventive measures.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 570 preschool children aged 3–6 years in Xingtai City through questionnaire surveys and oral examinations to understand their dental caries situation. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the main influencing factors for the occurrence of dental caries in preschool children.ResultsUnivariate analysis showed statistically significant differences in age (χ2 = 2.636, p = 0.008), father’s education level (χ2 = 4.207, p < 0.001), mother’s education level (χ2 = 4.217, p < 0.001), daily tooth brushing frequency (χ2 = 3.160, p = 0.002), age of starting tooth brushing (χ2 = 8.756, p < 0.001), mouth rinsing after meals (χ2 = 89.401, p < 0.001), Streptococcus mutans positivity (χ2 = 133.503, p < 0.001), non-sweet snack consumption frequency (χ2 = 5.962, p < 0.001), snack flavour preference (χ2 = 116.119, p < 0.001), use of fluoridated toothpaste (χ2 = 75.639, p < 0.001), regular oral examinations (χ2 = 98.711, p < 0.001), sugary drink consumption frequency (χ2 = 10.370, p < 0.001) and sweet food consumption frequency (χ2 = 9.261, p < 0.001) between the caries and non-caries groups. Multifactorial analysis revealed that older age (odds ratio [OR] = 5.342, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.434–6.631), later initiation of tooth brushing (OR = 3.244, 95% CI: 2.413–5.424), S. mutans positivity (OR = 5.357, 95% CI: 4.529–8.563), high snack consumption frequency (OR = 3.452, 95% CI: 2.634–5.442), high sugary drink consumption frequency (OR = 4.414, 95% CI: 2.534–6.451) and high sweet food consumption frequency (OR = 4.531, 95% CI: 3.421–6.354) were risk factors for dental caries. Higher father’s educational level (OR = 0.724, 95% CI: 0.564–0.891), higher mother’s educational level (OR = 0.641, 95% CI: 0.601–0.813), high daily tooth brushing frequency (OR = 0.572, 95% CI: 0.423–0.864), mouth rinsing after meals (OR = 0.743, 95% CI: 0.643–0.813), use of fluoridated toothpaste (OR = 0.657, 95% CI: 0.553–0.931) and regular oral examinations (OR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.352–0.747) were protective factors against dental caries (all p < 0.05).ConclusionMultiple factors result in early dental caries in preschool children aged 3–6 years; however, the most influential factors are older age and high snack consumption, as well as high sugary and sweet food/drink consumption.

Clinical, epidemiological and dental characterization of children with congenital heart diseases

Objective: to characterize the clinical, dental and epidemiological profile of children with congenital heart disease followed at the dental outpatient clinic of a Maternal and Child University Hospital in the city of São Luís/MA, Brazil. Methods: The present study had a descriptive, retrospective and quantitative nature. Data collection was carried out by analyzing the medical records of patients seen from January 2017 to December 2019, aged 0 to 12 years and of both sexes. Results: The majority of patients were male (51.4%), from the city of São Luís and metropolitan region (52.9%), self-declared mixed race (62.9%). Acyanotic congenital heart diseases were the most prevalent (81.4%) and half of the patients (50%) had already had an episode of toothache. The use of fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush was observed in almost all patients (90%), with the highest frequency of tooth brushing being twice a day (44.3%). Caries disease was the most prevalent oral clinical manifestation (61.4%). Conclusion: The importance of maintaining an adequate standard of oral health and its influence on the general systemic condition of these patients is reaffirmed. It is suggested that more studies be carried out in order to deepen knowledge about this population.

Oral health in obese children common findings, prevention, treatment, and outcome

Childhood obesity is a significant global public health issue, closely linked to various oral health challenges, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and malocclusion. Obese children are more prone to these dental problems due to dietary habits that include high sugar and carbohydrate intake, poor oral hygiene practices, and systemic inflammation. This review explores the common oral health issues faced by obese children and emphasizes the importance of preventive strategies and tailored treatment approaches. Preventive measures include promoting healthy dietary habits, improving oral hygiene practices, and ensuring regular dental check-ups. Dietary modifications, such as reducing the intake of sugary snacks and beverages, play a crucial role in preventing tooth decay and other dental problems. Educating children and caregivers about proper brushing and flossing techniques and the use of fluoride toothpaste and dental sealants further supports oral health. Regular dental visits allow for early detection and management of dental issues, with professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, and appropriate restorative and periodontal therapies being integral components of care. The outcomes of these comprehensive treatment strategies are generally positive, leading to improved oral health and overall quality of life for obese children. Multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers, including dentists, pediatricians, and nutritionists, is essential to develop effective care plans that address both obesity and oral health. This integrated approach ensures that obese children receive holistic care that promotes lifelong healthy habits, reducing the risk of future dental and systemic health problems. The review underscores the necessity of a concerted effort to address the intertwined issues of obesity and oral health in children, highlighting the potential for significant health improvements through targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Oral Health Care for Children and Youth With Developmental Disabilities: Clinical Report.

Oral health is an essential component of overall health for all individuals. The oral health of children and youth with developmental disabilities (CYDD) involves unique characteristics and needs of which pediatricians and pediatric clinicians can be aware. Risk for oral disease in CYDD is multifactorial and includes underlying medical conditions, medications, and ability to participate in preventive oral health care and treatment, and lack of access to providers is common for this population despite being eligible for Medicaid. Pediatric clinicians are uniquely positioned to support the oral health needs of CYDD and their families through the medical home. This clinical report aims to inform pediatric clinicians about the unique oral health needs of CYDD. It provides guidance on assessing caries risk and periodontal status using structured screening instruments; understanding dental trauma, the role of diet and caries risk, trauma prevention, and malocclusion; and providing anticipatory guidance on oral hygiene that includes tooth brushing, use of fluoridated toothpaste, assessing community water fluoridation, advocating for a dental home by 1 year of age, and transition to adult dental care as part of adolescent health care. It also highlights special considerations for dental treatment rendered under sedation or general anesthesia that CYDD may need. Pediatric clinicians can help reduce risk of CYDD developing dental disease by understanding the unique needs of their patients and their barriers to accessing oral health care in their community, communicating with the child's dental home, and advocating for safe and accessible dental procedures.

Development of a School-Based Online Periodontal Education Programme for Adolescents

Introduction and aimsThis study aimed to investigate the effects of a developed school-based online health education programme with a periodontal examination results sheet for high school students on their subjective oral symptoms, knowledge and attitudes regarding oral health, and oral health behaviours. MethodsThe participants were first- and second-year students aged 15 to 17 years (n = 847) at a high school in Japan. The students underwent a periodontal examination and were divided into periodontal condition (PC) and nonperiodontal condition (non-PC) groups. The students participated in the online oral health education programme, which included a periodontal examination results sheet after the examination. The data for identifying the effect of the programme were collected via questionnaire surveys at the periodontal examination (baseline), after 3 months, and after 1 year, and they were compared between baseline and 3 months later and between baseline and 1 year later by the chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between the measured variables related to oral health at 3 months or 1 year and the presence/absence of periodontal conditions after adjustment for sex and variables at baseline. ResultsA total of 628 students (74.1%) participated in this study. The percentages of individuals with knowledge of how many teeth they had, knowledge of periodontal disease, and experience with toothbrushing instruction increased significantly after 1 year in both groups (p < .05). The awareness of gingival swelling and bleeding and the use of fluoride toothpaste at 3 months were positively associated with the presence of periodontal conditions. ConclusionsThis study showed that an online oral health education programme contributed to improving oral health knowledge and behaviours among high school students and that the awareness of periodontal conditions according to the periodontal examination results sheet might improve the awareness of gingival swelling and bleeding at 3 months.

Knowledge and practices of Iranian students (13–16 age) regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste

IntroductionFluoride is the main factor in reducing the prevalence of caries worldwide. However, there is insufficient knowledge about whether people in different age groups are aware of the benefits of fluoride toothpaste, as well as about people’s daily oral care habits and whether they use fluoride. The purpose of this research is to investigate the knowledge and performance of Iranian students regarding the use of toothpaste containing fluoride.MethodThis study was conducted on the first- and second-year high school students of Kerman city. Questionnaires containing personal questions, general questions, and questions related to students’ knowledge and performance regarding the use of fluoride toothpaste were provided to them and then they were asked to complete and submit it. The results obtained from the survey were analyzed by T-test, Mann-Whitney test, and Chi-Square test in SPSS Version 24. The significance level in data analysis was P < 0.05.ResultsIn this research, 681 forms including 252 boys and 429 girls were examined. The average age of the participants was 14.1 ± 0.4. 91.2% declared that they use toothpaste and 77.8% of them used toothpaste containing fluoride. 521 people stated that the price of toothpaste is important in using the type of toothpaste. 621 people used regular toothbrush and 609 people evaluated their oral health as good. 621 of the participants stated that toothpaste makes the mouth healthy. The average knowledge score was 16.7 ± 2.1 out of 24, which indicates the average knowledge of students in this field.ConclusionThis study showed that students’ knowledge and performance about using fluoride-containing toothpaste is average. There was no significant relationship between performance and knowledge with age and gender. There was also a positive correlation between knowledge and performance indicating that increasing knowledge leads to an increase in behavioral changes. Also, there was a positive correlation between knowledge and performance, and a correlation coefficient of 0.731 was obtained between knowledge and performance. It shows that increasing knowledge leads to increasing behavioral changes.

FLUOROSIS PREVALENCE AT DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE EARTH (LITERATURE REVIEW)

The aim of the study is to analyze the literature about the fluorosis prevalence and the factors which lead to dental and bone fluorosis. The search for articles published in 2016-2023 was conducted by the authors in Scopus and Web of Science scientific data bases using the keywords “fluorosis”, “dental fluorosis”. To classify the severity of dental fluorosis, the index of developmental defects of enamel (DDE), the index of tooth surface fluorosis (TSIF), and mostly Dean’s index Thylstrup &amp; Fejerskov Index (TFI) are used. The risk factors for dental fluorosis include living in regions with high level of fluoride, drinking water with high level of fluoride or salt fluoridation, drinking bottled water, use of fluoride toothpastes among preschool children, early weaning, and use of infant formula for long time, and, as well as, a hot climate and high fluoride content in soil and food. The studies from India and China demonstrated that the average concentration of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis at fluoride contained 6 mg/l. The prevalence of dental fluorosis in NorthernTanzania, where the fluorine content in daily drinking water is 3.6 mg/l, reaches 75,22%. In Ethiopia, where fluorine content is 5.09 mg/l, the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis ranges from 55.1% to 72.4%. In Kenya, the fluoride content in drinking water reaches 72 mg/l, so the prevalence of dental fluorosis is 80%. The prevalence of dental fluorosis is lower in South Western Saudi Arabia and Iran where fluoride level is lower. In Jordan, the prevalence of dental fluorosis reaches 39.9% due to the high fluoride content in miner rocks. Skeletal fluorosis is wide spread in some areas of Pakistan due to the contamination of ground water by industrial production. The prevalence of mild dental fluorosis is 39% in New castle where water is fluoridated, and 24% in non-fluoridated Manchester in England. Dean’s index and TFI index are mostly used to classify these variety of fluorosis. Various factors affect the appearance of dental and bone fluorosis worldwide, so the prevalence of fluorosis varies from 11,1 up to 100%.