ABSTRACT
Dental caries is an infectious disease involving all age groups. Adolescence is a period in which the risk for dental caries remains especially high. Many factors, some unique to the teenage years, contribute to the initiation and progression of dental caries in this age group. One factor with the potential for being significant is the adolescent diet, especially the high consumption of sugars. One product that tends to contribute to the amount of sugar ingested is carbonated beverages. Many soft drinks also contain significant amounts of caffeine. Regular caffeine ingestion may lead to increased, even habitual, usage. It is suggested that the combination of the consumption of highly sweetened soft drinks and habitual usage of caffeine may significantly increase a susceptible adolescent's potential for developing dental caries. Cases are presented demonstrating the early initiation and rapid progression of dental caries in three adolescents. A common factor is the ingestion of high amounts of caffeinated-carbonated soft drinks.
Subject(s)
Caffeine/adverse effects , Carbonated Beverages/adverse effects , Central Nervous System Stimulants/adverse effects , Dental Caries/etiology , Adolescent , Adolescent Behavior , Attitude to Health , Caffeine/administration & dosage , Caffeine/analysis , Carbonated Beverages/analysis , Central Nervous System Stimulants/administration & dosage , Central Nervous System Stimulants/analysis , Counseling , Dental Caries/prevention & control , Dental Caries Susceptibility , Dietary Sucrose/administration & dosage , Dietary Sucrose/adverse effects , Dietary Sucrose/analysis , Disease Progression , Feeding Behavior , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Male , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
It can be summarized that adolescents have unique needs and concerns in regards to dental care. Among these concerns is the adolescent diet, which often contains high amounts of high-carbohydrate snack foods. Popular among these foods are carbonated beverages, usually containing significant amounts of sugar and caffeine. Sugar is a concern, as increased consumption of sugars has been identified as a potential factor in an increase in caries activity. Caffeine is a factor, as regular ingestion of caffeine has been shown to potentially lead to a physical desire to habitually ingest caffeine. Thus, there are increases in both the amount of sugars, as well as the amount of time that these sugars are present in the oral environment. Perhaps more significantly, the presence of caffeine in soft drinks makes it less likely that preventive counseling with an adolescent, related to the importance of a decrease in consumption, will be successful. In essence, teenagers like to drink "pop," and they don't want to stop. Furthermore, because caffeine consumption is considered socially acceptable and is ingrained into daily habits, parents are likely to be regular consumers of coffee, carbonated beverages, or other caffeine-containing products. This makes preventive counseling on these matters more challenging. Dentists, dental hygienists, and related health professionals should be aware of the unique aspects of treating adolescents, and be willing and able to spend time on prevention and diet counseling. Preventive measures such as prescription-strength fluoride gels for home use, fluoride varnishes, and others may need additional emphasis on individuals exhibiting increased caries susceptibility.
Subject(s)
Carbonated Beverages/adverse effects , Dental Caries/etiology , Diet, Cariogenic , Dietary Sucrose/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adolescent Behavior , Caffeine/administration & dosage , Carbonated Beverages/analysis , HumansABSTRACT
The dental treatment of a 3-year-old male with biliary atresia is discussed. The patient was scheduled for a liver transplant and was receiving Cyclosporine A. Due to the severity of the dental condition and to reduce the possibility of infection, all twenty primary teeth were extracted. The extracted teeth displayed a marked greenish discoloration of both the crowns and the roots. Histological examination revealed extensive interglobular dentin, a number of faint yellow-brown lines contouring the developmental pattern and a distinctive fluorescent line. The dental and pharmacological considerations relating to the treatment plan for this case are reviewed.
Subject(s)
Biliary Atresia/complications , Dental Care for Chronically Ill , Liver Failure/etiology , Tooth Discoloration/etiology , Child, Preschool , Cyclosporine/therapeutic use , Dental Caries/surgery , Humans , Liver Transplantation , Male , Preoperative Care , Tooth Extraction , Tooth, DeciduousABSTRACT
Most of the 222 dental patients with emergency situations, observed during the period described, had injuries involving the eight incisor teeth (86.1 percent). Patients or their parents facing these situations are often referred to the hospital emergency room, especially those that provide dental services.
Subject(s)
Dental Care , Dental Service, Hospital , Emergencies , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hospitals, Pediatric , Humans , Infant , Male , New York , Seasons , Tooth InjuriesABSTRACT
Anterior temporal area and non-specific facial muscle activity were recorded from 11 patients with unilateral anterior temporal area muscle pain and from 11 matched asymptomatic individuals at various mandibular openings. No significant differences were observed (1) in temporal area EMG activity between pain and non-pain sides and (2) between temporal area and non-specific facial muscle EMG activity between patient and non-patient groups. In relation to increased vertical mandibular opening from centric occlusion: (a) anterior temporal area EMG activity decreased to a minimum level (with further opening, anterior temporal area EMG did not significantly change); and (b) non-specific facial muscle EMG activity decreased to a minimum level (with further opening, non-specific facial muscle EMG increased).
