Caries in children with lactose intolerance and cow's milk protein allergy

Abstract Dental caries in 5-to-8-year-old children with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance (LI), their treatment needs, and the consumption of milk-based products and milk derivatives by these patients were investigated. A cross-sectional study was undertaken with 200 children in southern Brazil in 2017. The clinical examination was based on the World Health Organization criteria and a questionnaire was sent to parents or legal guardians to collect information on the children's food intake, pre-existing systemic diseases, medication use, and CMPA and LI. Standardization was performed to verify concordance among examiners (kappa = 0.96). Caries prevalence was 67.50% in children with CMPA or LI, but 34.37% in those without these conditions. The mean dmft (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index in children with CMPA or LI was 1.75 ± 1.84, significantly higher than among non-allergic or lactose-tolerant children (0.83 ± 1.60) (p < 0.001). In children with CMPA or LI, the mean for treatment needs was 1.58 ± 1.50. Lactose-free milk was the most frequently consumed food among allergic/intolerant children (65.00%), with a mean dmft of 2.00 ± 2.08, higher than that obtained for those without CMPA/LI (0.82 ± 0.87), showing no significant difference (p = 0.129). Although dental caries and treatment needs in primary dentition were associated with CMPA or LI, children's intake of replacement foods did not pose any risk for the development of carious lesions. Statistically significant differences were obtained for the prevalence and severity of dental caries. This shows the need for treatment of children with CMPA or LI, who had the worst caries prevalence and severity rates.

Determinants of oral self-care in the Brazilian adult population: a national cross-sectional study

Abstract: This study aims to investigate variables related to adherence to oral self-care in the Brazilian adult population. It is an exploratory study, using secondary data from a population-based survey on a representative sample of the adult population of the entire Brazilian territory (n=60202). The sample was selected using a multiple stage approach. The oral self-care indicator was defined by grouping the variables: periodicity of dentist appointments, use of dental floss, toothbrush and toothpaste, frequency of brushing and replacement of the toothbrush. The scores obtained from the indicator were categorized into adequate, partially adequate, and inadequate care. Statistical analysis consisted of dimensionality reduction, and oral self-care-related variables were submitted to logistic regression. The variables mostly related to inadequate or partially adequate oral self-care were: illiteracy (OR = 11.20, OR = 4.81), low educational level (OR = 3.50, OR = 1.96), negative oral health self-concept (OR=3.73, OR=1.74), absence of natural teeth (OR = 4.98, OR=2.60), edentulous lower arch (OR = 3.09; _____), number of missing upper teeth (OR=1.14, OR=1.05), absence of health insurance (OR=2.23, OR=2.07), sedentary lifestyle (OR=2.77, OR=1.51), and smoking (OR=2.18, OR=1.40). It was concluded that the individual's level of education is one of the main factors for adherence to adequate oral self-care, followed by level of oral health self-concept and tooth loss. Likewise, lifestyle also bears a significant influence.