Correlation between vitamin D level and caries risk in early childhood caries / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the correlation between vitamin D levels and the risk of early childhood caries (ECC), and to provide a reference for the primary prevention of ECC in children.@*Methods @# A total of 389 children aged 6 months to 48 months were enrolled in this study. Data of feeding patterns and oral health behaviors were collected, and decayed-missing-filled teeth (dmft) were recorded. The children were divided into an ECC group (dmft > 0, n= 146) and a caries-free group (dmft=0, n=243). Peripheral blood of fingertips was collected to detect the active form of vitamin D--25(OH)D in vivo, and the cariogenic activity of dental plaque was analyzed with the Cariostat test. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to analyze the correlation among caries related factors such as 25(OH)D levels and caries risk in patients with ECC.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in the prevalence of dental caries among 25(OH)D deficiency, insufficiency and normal children (χ2=2.320, P=0.313). There was no correlation between dmft and 25(OH)D levels (dmft=1-3, r < 0.001, P > 0.05; dmft > 3, r= 0.009, P > 0.05). The risk factors for ECC were age (OR=1.082, 95% CI: 1.045-1.121, P < 0.001), breastfeeding within 6 months after birth (OR=2.789, 95% CI: 1.581-4.921, P < 0.001), nighttime milk consumption or sleeping with a nipple (OR=4.187, 95% CI: 1.938-9.048, P < 0.001), and a high Cariostat value of 1.5-3.0 (OR=4.173, 95% CI: 2.014-8.646, P < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#There was no correlation between 25(OH)D level and caries in children aged 6-48 months. The risk factors for ECC are age, breastfeeding before 6 months old, nighttime milk consumption or sleeping with a nipple and high cariogenic activity (Cariostat value of 1.5-3.0). It is necessary to establish good feeding habits and oral hygiene habits for children while promoting breastfeeding.

Cariogenic Activity in Saliva of Korean Head and Neck Cancer Patients

The purpose of this study is to evaluate salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and cariogenic activity using unstimulated saliva of the head and neck cancer patients. Twenty three cancer patients (19 males, 4 females) who had undergone chemotherapy and radiation therapy and twenty four healthy volunteers (14 males, 10 females) as a control were included. Salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and cariogenic activity using unstimulated saliva were examined. Compared to saliva of the control group, salivary flow rate (p<0.001) and salivary pH (p<0.001) were significantly lower in head and neck cancer patients. The colony counts of Lactobacilli was higher in head and neck cancer patients (p<0.05) than in control group. These salivary factors and cariogenic activity can increase the prevalence of dental caries in head and neck cancer patients.

Analysis on saliva of head and neck cancer patients / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study is performed to evaluate the salivary secretion, salivary pH and cariogenic activity in head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Thirty patients (26 male, 4 female) who had head and neck cancer and were treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and 28 normal volunteers (9 male, 19 female) as a control were included. The mean age of the patients group and control group were 55.9 years and 51.6 years, respectively. The patients group was examined of salivary secretion, salivary pH, and cariogenic activity, and was compared with the control group. RESULTS: In comparison with the control group, salivary secretion, salivary pH and cariogenic activity were lower, significantly, in head and neck cancer patients (P<0.01). There are negative correlations between cariogenic activity and salivary secretion (r=-0.364, P<0.01), cariogenic activity and salivary pH (r=-0.534, P<0.01) in head and neck cancer patients, and cariogenic activity and salivary pH (r=-0.413, P<0.05) in the control group. There are positive correlations between salivary pH and salivary secretion (r=0.409, P<0.01) in head and neck cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that salivary secretion and salivary pH are reduced; cariogenic activity is increased in head and neck cancer patients. Such salivary factor and cariogenic activity can increase the possibility of induction of dental caries.