Relationship among Maternal Sociodemographics, Oral Health Behavior, and the Prevalence of Early Childhood Caries / 치위생과학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of maternal socioeconomic status, maternal oral health behaviors, and oral health behaviors of children, on the prevalence of early childhood caries in children aged 5 years. The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data collected between 2007 and 2014 were applied to this study, and the study sample included 824 children who received oral examinations and participated in the health behavior survey. The factor that affected the prevalence of early childhood caries were confirmed by maternal and child factors. The data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The mothers' age, income level, and job status affected the prevalence of early childhood caries. There was a significant difference in the analysis considering the factors of motherhood and children in the prevalence of early childhood caries according to mother's age, education level, income level, and the child's oral examination. The prevalence of early childhood caries was higher in children who received oral examinations than in those who did not. When the mother's educational level was higher than college education, it was found that the index of child, i.e., there was a difference in the prevalence of early childhood caries according to the mother's educational and income levels. These results indicate that maternal socioeconomic characteristics are correlated with the oral health of children. Therefore, oral health education programs that include mothers for the prevention of early dental caries in children may improve the dental health of children. In addition, specific oral health policies are necessary to address the differences in the oral health between the income groups.

Assessment of Early Dental Caries by Using Optical Coherence Tomography / 치위생과학회지

The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between integrated mineral loss (volume % mineral×µm, ΔZ(TMR)) determined using transverse microradiography (TMR) and integrated reflectivity (dB×µm, ΔR(OCT)) determined using optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detecting early dental caries with lesion depth more than 200 µm. Sixty tooth specimens were made from sound bovine teeth. They were immersed in a demineralized solution for 20, 30, and 40 days. The ΔR(OCT) was obtained from the cross-sectional OCT image. The ΔZ(TMR) was obtained from the TMR image. The correlation between ΔR(OCT) and ΔZ(TMR) was examined using Pearson correlation. The Bland-Altman plot was constructed using the ΔR(OCT) and ΔZ(TMR) values. A significant correlation between ΔR(OCT) and ΔZ(TMR) was confirmed (r=0.491, p=0.003). Moreover, most of the difference between ΔR(OCT) and ΔZ(TMR) was included in the error section of the Bland-Altman plot. Therefore, OCT could be used as a substitute for TMR when analyzing mineral loss in early dental caries.

Detection of early changes in caries lesion using QLF-D and OCT / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the differences in caries lesion changes when measured by QLF-D as fluorescence loss and by SS-OCT as lesion depth with respect to demineralized time, during formation of artificial early caries lesion. We also demonstrated that QLF-D and SS-OCT can be used effectively in monitoring the longitudinal progression of simulated caries lesions. METHODS: Ten bovine incisors were sectioned (5x4 mm) and embedded in epoxy resin. An acid-resistant nail varnish was applied to a part of the tooth surfaces to protect sound enamel (2x4 mm). To generate lesions, each specimen was immersed in 40 ml of a demineralizing gel for 20 days at 37degrees C. To measure mineral loss of the demineralized specimens, fluorescence loss (DeltaF, %) was measured by QLF-D and lesion depth (microm) was determined by SS-OCT from the captured cross-sectional image. All the specimens were analyzed daily by QLF-D image analysis software and SS-OCT image analysis program for 20 days. The repeated measures analysis of DeltaF and lesion depth was used. The paired t-test was used to assess differences between each day. The correlation between DeltaF and lesion depth was determined using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: On the 5th, 10th, and 15th day, compared to baseline values, DeltaF decreased in 12.7%, 25.0%, and 33.6% of the specimens, respectively, and the lesion depth increased in 9.9%, 16.0%, and 22.6% of the specimens, respectively. However, after 15 days, there was no change in the DeltaF and lesion depth. High significant correlation was identified between the resultant values of DeltaF obtained by QLF-D and those of lesion depth obtained by SS-OCT (r = -0.811, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The QLF-D and SS-OCT could detect subtle changes in mineral loss and lesion depth with respect to demineralized time. Furthermore, these devices were useful for monitoring changes in mineral amount and lesion depth.

Cárie precoce e severa na infância: uma abordagem integral: [revisão] / Severe early childhood caries: an integral approach: [review]

OBJETIVO: Fornecer informações para auxiliar o médico pediatra a reconhecer os fatores de risco para o início da cárie precoce na infância e da cárie severa na infância (CSI), possibilitando a intervenção precoce de tais fatores, e, assim, evitar a instalação dessa doença prevenível e as suas consequências. FONTES DOS DADOS: As informações foram coletadas a partir de artigos científicos publicados nas bases de dados SciELO, MEDLINE e PUBMED nos últimos 25 anos, livros técnicos e publicações de consenso de organismos internacionais. As palavras-chave utilizadas foram: early childhood caries, severe early childhood caries, dental caries e children. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: A CSI é uma forma de cárie dentária que afeta bebês e crianças. É infecciosa, de etiologia multifatorial e de desenvolvimento rápido, iniciando logo após a erupção dos dentes. Por apresentar fatores de risco local e sociocultural, deve ser considerada como sintoma de uma alteração na criança e de falta de cuidados adequados. Suas manifestações incluem dor, abscessos e dificuldades mastigatórias, afetando a alimentação e o sono da criança. Além disso, afeta também sua saúde geral, fala e autoestima. CONCLUSÕES: A CSI é uma doença com métodos preventivos estabelecidos, que devem ser introduzidos o mais precocemente possível, por meio de programas preventivos na comunidade e no núcleo familiar. Os profissionais que atendem bebês e crianças devem estar atentos aos casos com risco para o desenvolvimento da doença cárie e interceder a fim de se obter saúde.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information with the purpose of helping pediatricians to recognize the risk factors for the onset of severe early childhood caries, allowing for early intervention and thus avoiding this preventable disease and its consequences. SOURCES: Information was collected from scientific articles published on the databases SciELO, MEDLINE and PUBMED in last 25 years, as well as technical books and guidelines of international committees. The keywords used were: early childhood caries, severe early childhood caries, dental caries, and children. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: Severe early childhood caries affects infants and children. It is infectious, has a multifactor etiology and fast development, starting soon after dental eruption. Due to the presence of local sociocultural risk factors, it must be regarded as a symptom of alteration in the child's health and lack of adequate care. Its manifestations include pain, abscesses and chewing difficulty, affecting the child's feeding and sleep. Furthermore, it also affects the child's general health, speech, and self-esteem. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive methods to avoid severe early childhood caries have been developed and they should be used as early as possible by means of prevention programs carried out in the community and with families. Professionals responsible for providing care to babies and children should be aware of cases at risk for caries and interfere in order to improve their patients' health.