1.
Oral health status of hospitalized amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a single-centre observational study.
Nakayama, R, Nishiyama, A, Matsuda, C, Nakayama, Y, Hakuta, C, Shimada, M
Acta odontologica Scandinavica. 2018;(4):294-298
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the intraoral conditions and oral function of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). MATERIAL AND METHODS This single-centre, cross-sectional observational study included 50 ALS patients, who were treated with tracheostomy positive-pressure ventilation (TPPV) while hospitalized. The disease duration, TPPV duration, current number of teeth, number of occlusal units, number of decayed/missing/filled teeth, community periodontal index, bleeding on probing, dental calculus, maximum mouth opening, salivation rate, tongue anomalies (atrophy or hypertrophy) and tongue coating were determined for each patient. Differences in intraoral conditions according to disease duration or TPPV duration were statistically analysed. RESULTS The maximum mouth opening was low in the included patients, with a mean distance of 13.7 ± 7.4 mm. Furthermore, the maximum mouth opening showed a significant negative correlation with both disease duration and TPPV duration. No statistically significant differences were found between any other intraoral parameters and disease duration or TPPV duration. CONCLUSIONS Severe dental disease is uncommon among hospitalized ALS patients who receive oral care by nurses; however, mouth opening is very restricted in these patients. Early intervention for restricted mouth opening, directed by a dentist or dental hygienist, is essential in this population.
2.
Influence of salivary parameters in the caries development in orthodontic patients-an observational clinical study.
Cardoso, AA, Lopes, LM, Rodrigues, LP, Teixeira, JJ, Steiner-Oliveira, C, Nobre-Dos-Santos, M
International journal of paediatric dentistry. 2017;(6):540-550
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown during the orthodontic treatment, the prevalence of active caries lesions (ACL) in 30 to 70% of patients. AIM: To evaluate the effect of orthodontic treatment on salivary properties considering caries development. DESIGN Twenty two individuals (11-22 years) were assessed regarding caries, oral hygiene, sugar exposure, salivary flow rate (SFR), buffering capacity, pH, carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) and amylase activity, at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months after the orthodontic appliances placement. Caries index was determined by Nyvad criteria. CA VI and amylase activities were performed by zymography and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS Buffering capacity decreased after 3 months (P < 0.0001) and showed positive correlation with pH at baseline and after 1 month in individuals who did not develop active caries lesions. Amylase activity decreased after 1 and 6 months (P = 0.0003) and presented positive correlation with CA VI in patients who developed ACL. SFR increased after 1 month (P = 0.0283) and showed positive correlation with CA VI activity after 3 months in individuals who did not develop ACL. Salivary pH showed negative correlation with CA VI after 1 month in patients who did not develop ACL. ACL were firstly diagnosed after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated that saliva of individuals under orthodontic treatment is subjected to changes in properties that have implications on the onset of ACL.
3.
How do diet and body mass index impact dental caries in Hispanic elementary school children?
Creske, M, Modeste, N, Hopp, J, Rajaram, S, Cort, D
Journal of dental hygiene : JDH. 2013;(1):38-46
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this observational study was to examine the association between body mass index and dental caries in Hispanic children. The research evaluated the influences of obesity, diet, parent education level, family acculturation, tooth brushing habits and gender as predictors of childhood caries. METHODS One examiner visually screened 177 third grade students from 3 elementary schools located in southern California's Coachella Valley. The children were screened for number of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT). Height, weight, age and gender determined their body mass index. Primary caregivers completed a 30-point questionnaire for each participant. Multivariate analyses accessed the association between childhood dental caries and weight status and the influences of the measured variables. RESULTS Results indicate that those in the obese category had a statistically significant lower rate of DMFT than did children in the healthy weight category. Overweight children showed a higher DMFT than healthy weight children but the results were not statistically significant. Covariates that significantly influenced this association were diet and socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION Results from this study provide oral health professionals with baseline data and literature to support development of preventive programs for this population that concurrently address both obesity and oral health issues in scope and design.