Effects of short-term xylitol chewing gum on pro-inflammatory cytokines and Streptococcus mutans: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is an infectious disease with predominantly of cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans (S mutans). Xylitol is considered as one of the effective agents that can limit this dental infection. In this randomised, placebo-controlled trial, we aimed to evaluate the potential reflection of short-term xylitol consumption on pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8) and S mutans counts by ELISA and qPCR (Quantitative real-time PCR), respectively. METHODS: In this study, 154 participants were assigned to two groups, control and xylitol. Dental examination, saliva and swab samples were done at baseline and at 3-week for clinical and microbiological assessment. RESULTS: In xylitol group at the end of 3-week, gingival and plaque index scores were significantly decreased with respect to baseline values (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively). The salivary concentration of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were statistically declined at 3-week, more so than those at baseline in xylitol group (P < .001). S mutans expression was reduced about fivefold at 3-week use of xylitol and it was a statistically significant difference compared to baseline (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Intriguingly, even short-term consumption of xylitol might play a favourable role in maintaining the oral health status, possibly as a result of decreasing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the counts of S mutans. Nonetheless, this investigation warrants further endorsement.

Traumatic dental injury incidence of unseen children.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is a lack of information about the incidence of dental trauma in Turkish children with disabilities and those in detention centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of dental trauma in two groups estimated to have high-potential risk, young prisoners and disabled children, compared with healthy peers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 530 children were included in the study. The participants were divided into three groups: Disability Group (n=238), Imprisoned Children Group (n=231) and school children (n=61) as the Control Group. The occurrence of dental trauma was evaluated according to age and gender. Statistical evaluations were done by using SPSS statistics-22 programme. RESULTS: The mean age of all participants was 14.85 ± 3.43 years. Males predominated (75.8%). In the Imprisoned Children Group, not only maxillary and mandibular incisors but also canines had dental trauma. Time of imprisonment and education level did not have any significant effect on dental trauma occurrence among children in detention centers. In the Disability Group, the disability type did not have any significant effect. In the Control Group, maxillary central incisors were the most traumatized teeth. The incidence of dental trauma was 11.3% in the Imprisoned Children Group, 4.6% in the Disability Group, and 9.8% in the Control Group. There was a significant difference among the three groups (p:0.027; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Dental trauma incidence may differ among disabled, imprisoned, and healthy children. Hence, children from different parts of the community should be included in epidemiological studies to provide a more accurate incidence of dental trauma.

Colour preference between adults and children during a dental treatment session.

BACKGROUND: It is evidently shown that colour has physical, psychological and sociological effects on human beings. There are many studies showing the effects of colours on brain activity. Colour preferences may change from childhood to adulthood and are significantly different in various age groups. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adults and children in their preference for mouthrinses in various colours under stress condition during a dental treatment session. METHODS: 240 adults and 263 children were included in the study. Three transparent cups were filled with water, two of which were coloured green/pink rinsing by dissolving a tablet in the water. Cups were placed near the dental unit. During dental treatment sessions, patients were told to rinse their mouth with whichever cup they preferred. Preferred colour of cup, gender and age of patient, number of sessions were recorded. Data were statistically analysed by SPSS 15.0 programme and chi-square tests. RESULTS: Half of all cases preferred water. In adults, while females statistically significantly preferred water, males chose cups with coloured contents (p<0.01). Male adults preferred more than one rinsing solution in a dental treatment session. Children mostly preferred water. Even if adults preferred cups with coloured contents in multi-dental treatment sessions, children regularly preferred water (p<0.001). Female and male children mostly preferred water as a rinsing solution. Water was the most often choice for all patients. Both patients' gender and colours of cups affected choices made by adults and children. CONCLUSIONS: Female adults and children were not interested in trying colourful mouthrinses, while male adults were curious about trying colourful mouthrinses during dental treatment sessions under stress condition.