ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is an infectious disease with Streptococcus mutans as the main cariogenic bacteria. Children with early S. mutans colonization have a higher risk of developing dental caries than those with later colonization. Therefore, prevention or delay of S. mutans colonization may be advantageous for the prevention of early childhood caries (ECC). AIM: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of xylitol and placebo wipes on S. mutans count in 19- to 35-month-old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four children were randomly selected from a daycare center and divided into two groups. Allocation concealment was done and both (placebo and xylitol) wipes were distributed to their parents. Instructions were given regarding their use, to be used twice daily for 2 weeks and the S. mutans levels in the saliva were enumerated before and after wipes usage. The collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests. RESULTS: A clinically significant decrease in the S. mutans count was observed in the xylitol wipes group than the placebo wipes group. Intergroup comparison results were found to be statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Xylitol wipes usage could serve as a useful adjunct in reducing the cariogenic bacteria, especially S. mutans, and thus can be considered as an adjunct oral hygiene tool for caries prevention in young childrenHow to cite this article: Kayalvizhi G, Nivedha D, Sajeev R, Prathima GS, Suganya M, Ramesh V. Evaluating the Efficacy of Xylitol Wipes on Cariogenic Bacteria in 19- to 35-month-old Children: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(1):13-17.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Dental setting plays an important role in child's behavior and cooperation to the planned dental treatment. Adding attractive colours to the dental environment and by incorporating colourful equipments can make the child feel good and be at ease. This study tries to convey the relationship between colours and dental anxiety among children. AIM: To evaluate the colour preference to emotions in relation to children's age, gender and anxiety level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 382 children aged 6-12 years were randomly selected from schools in and around Puducherry. Modified dental anxiety scale was recorded by a calibrated examiner. Each question was scored from one (not anxious) to five (extremely anxious); such that the total score ranges from 5 to 25, wherein a score of 15 or more was considered to be anxious. Based on this, children were divided into anxious and non-anxious groups. All the children were provided with eight different coloured crayon pencils and were asked to shade two cartoon emoticons indicating happiness and sadness with their preferred colour. Values were tabulated and statistically analyzed to evaluate the association between the variables using Z test, Chi-square, Chi-square goodness of fit and odds ratio. (p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant). RESULTS: Among 382 children, 77% (294) were graded as anxious and 23% (88) as non- anxious. For positive emotion (happiness), 31.2% (119) children preferred blue followed by pink 29.3% (112). For negative emotion (sadness), 52.1% (199) of children preferred black and 46.9% (179) preferred red. Association between colour and emotion was highly significant (p= 0.005). CONCLUSION: From the colours preferred by the children in our study, it can be concluded that colours like blue and pink in the dental set-up could enhance a positive attitude while black and red could develop a negative outlook in their mind.
