ABSTRACT
Context: Interleukin?33 and its receptor soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) play an important role in inflammation and its role in periodontal disease is yet unclear. The role of both IL?33 and sST2 together in periodontal disease as biomarkers has never been studied. Aim: To assess the levels of IL?33 and sST2 in serum samples of patients with periodontitis and healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 71 subjects (30 healthy subjects and 41 patients with periodontal disease) were included in the cross?sectional study. Community Periodontal Index (CPI) was used to assess periodontal health by utilizing a mouth mirror and a CPI probe. Venous blood was collected and serum was separated. Serum levels of IL?33 and sST2 were determined by the enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay. Statistical Analysis: Graph Pad Prism 5 was used for statistical analysis. Mann Whitney test was applied to compare the two groups. Results: The level of IL?33 was not found to be elevated among healthy subjects and sST2 was found elevated among patients with periodontal disease. The serum concentration of IL?33 was found at 472 ± 114 pg/ml and 282 ± 77 pg/ml among healthy subjects and patients with periodontal disease respectively. Significantly higher values of sST2 at 28 ± 2 ng/ml were found among periodontal patients as compared to healthy subjects with values of 18 ± 1 ng/ml. No significant differences were noted between mild to moderate and severe periodontitis for IL?33 and sST2 between the two groups. Conclusion: This study shows alteration in serum levels of IL?33 and sST2 in periodontitis patients. IL?33 and sST2 may be potential inflammatory markers of periodontitis. Further studies are required on a large sample size for better understanding. This pilot study is the first to assess the serum levels of both IL?33 and sST2 together among patients with and without periodontal disease.
ABSTRACT
Background: This study explores the association of disabilities and oral health. The aim of the study was to compare and assess oral health status of 12-year-old children with disabilities with healthy controls in Karnataka, Southern India. Methods: A total of 191 schoolchildren with disabilities were examined from 12-year age group. For comparison, 203 healthy children were randomly selected from other government schools. Clinical data were collected on periodontal status, dental caries, treatment needs and dental malocclusion using WHO criteria. A chi-squared test was used to compare between categorical variables. Linear and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the importance of the factors associated with caries status. Results: Significant differences were noted in the frequency of sugar consumption between subjects with disabilities and their healthy controls. Subjects with disabilities had significantly higher CPI (community periodontal index) scores than their healthy counterparts (p<0.001). Dental caries was present in 89.8% children from special schools as compared with 58.6% from the control group. Mean DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) values for special school children and healthy controls were 2.52 ± 2.61 and 0.61 ± 1.12, respectively. Higher prevalence of malocclusion was seen in subjects with special healthcare needs, with 66.4% having definite malocclusion and 17.4% of controls having malocclusion (p<0.001). The mean values for treatment needs were higher in subjects with disabilities. Regression analysis showed that, type of school, male gender, low frequency of brushing, increased frequency of sugar consumption between meals and dental malocclusion were significantly related to dental caries. Conclusion: Poor oral health of children with disabilities as compared with their healthy controls in terms of periodontal status, dentition status, treatment needs, and dentofacial anomalies was found in our study, which confirms a need for preventive treatment for these children.
ABSTRACT
Even though dentistry was not a specialized branch of Ayurveda, it is included in its Shalakya Tantra (system of surgery). Problems such as deformities of the oral cavity, plaques and infections were managed in ancient India. Traditional medicine can treat various infectious and chronic conditions. Research has shown that all kinds of chewing sticks described in ancient Ayurveda texts have medicinal and anti-cariogenic properties. Its oil pulling (Kaval, Gandush) practice is claimed to cure about 30 systemic diseases. Amla (Emblic myrobalan), is a general rebuilder of oral health. Bilberry fruit (Vaccinium myrtillus) and hawthorn berry (Crateagus oxycanthus) stabilize collagen, strengthening the gum tissue. Liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabral) promotes anti-cavity action, reduces plaque, and has an antibacterial effect. Use of safe, quality products and practices should be ensured based on available evidence if traditional medicine is to be acknowledged as part of primary health care. Scientific validations of the Ayurveda dental health practices could justify their incorporation into modern dental care. Publicity of these techniques using appropriate media would benefit the general population by giving more confidence in the ancient practices, thus preventing tooth decay and loss.