Hallmarks of Periodontitis.

Periodontitis is a complex polymicrobial disease of the oral cavity that affects tooth-supporting tissues. It is caused by multiple factors, such as pathogenic bacteria, genetic predisposition, and host immune response factors. The pathogenesis of periodontal disease involves the complex interrelations among bacterial toxins, several populations of cells, and host cell-secreted inflammatory mediators. Generally, periodontitis is characterized by the formation of intricate and varied biofilms of microbes on the tooth surface, commonly known as dental plaque. Activation of defense cells is characterized by releasing inflammatory mediators, such as proteases, acidic metabolites, cytokines, interleukins, and chemokines, which destroy tissue and ultimately cause bone resorption. The individual periodontal condition has a significant impact on systemic homeostasis, and its disruption can cause the development of some metabolic disorders. This review article summarizes the latest studies on the pathogenesis of periodontitis and describes the role of inflammatory mediators and genetic polymorphism in individuals, as well as relationships with some metabolic conditions. The information is collected from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and clinicaltrials.gov.

A review on natural teeth whitening.

BACKGROUND: Discoloration of teeth occurs for various reasons. Common ingredients like substances from tea and coffee, as well as antibiotics like tetracycline, or food dyes, can percolate into the teeth, and, as such, these stains may persist in the porous structure of the enamel. Smoking is also contributory to dental discoloration, with toxins of tobacco smoke accumulating in a similar way. With aging, teeth tend to be discolored with accumulation of various stains in addition to the enamel gradually eroding to expose the yellow dentin. HIGHLIGHT: This review focused on the effect of several natural ingredients with teeth-whitening properties and their daily clinical application. Metabolic dental bleaching mechanisms, as well as tooth discoloration and decay, were also reviewed. The current scientific literature (mostly from 2000 to 2020) was consolidated from manuscripts retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar. CONCLUSION: Natural teeth whitening effectively lightens the natural color of teeth without eroding dental surfaces. On the other hand, commercially available whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide, in high concentrations, can lead to deproteinization and demineralization of teeth through oxidation processes. If used extensively, these compounds may cause a number of adverse effects. Alternative natural teeth-whiteners include ingredients like lemons, strawberries, oranges, papaya, and other fruits. Such natural ingredients offer a milder and safer way of whitening teeth than whiteners containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

Metabolic Conditions and Peri-Implantitis.

Dental implants to replace lost teeth are a common dentistry practice nowadays. Titanium dental implants display a high success rate and improved safety profile. Nevertheless, there is an increasing peri-implantitis (PI), an inflammatory disease associated with polymicrobial infection that adversely affects the hard and soft tissues around the implant. The present review highlights the contribution of different metabolic conditions to PI. The considerations of both local and systemic metabolic conditions are crucial for planning successful dental implant procedures and during the treatment course of PI. Un- or undertreated PI can lead to permanent jaw bone suffering and dental implant losses. The common mediators of PI are inflammation and oxidative stress, which are also the key mediators of most systemic metabolic disorders. Chronic periodontitis, low-grade tissue inflammation, and increased oxidative stress raise the incidence of PI and the underlying systemic metabolic conditions, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, or harmful lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking, etc.). Using dental biomaterials with antimicrobial effects could partly solve the problem of pathogenic microbial contamination and local inflammation. With local dentistry considering factors, including oral microbiota and implant quality control, the inclusion of the underlying systemic metabolic conditions into the pre-procedure planning and during the treatment course should improve the chances of successful outcomes.

Health benefits of xylitol.

Many diseases, including caries, chronic inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and obesity, are associated with uncontrolled sugar consumption. Artificial sweeteners are commonly used in food and pharmaceutical industries as sugar substitutes for the prevention of several dental and body diseases; they also have a favorable impact on body weight as they may help to restrict simple sugar consumption. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is commonly used as a sweetener. It can be found naturally or artificially prepared mainly from plant materials chemically or by fermentation of hemicelluloses from agricultural biomass by yeast or bacteria strains. This polyol has a significant antiplaque effect on teeth surface and can reduce the gingival inflammation; it is being used as a preventive agent for dental caries due to decreasing the growth levels of pathogenic Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sangui at the very early stages. Xylitol can bind with calcium ion leading to consequent remineralization of teeth enamel; it is also able to prevent osteoporosis. This polyol can treat respiratory tract and middle ear diseases due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential and prevent some diseases which cannot be cured through antibiotics or surgery. Xylitol can reduce constipation, diabetes, obesity, and other body syndromes or illnesses; it has also revealed its stimulating effect on digestion and immune system. However, it can produce some side effects such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, nephrolithiasis, etc., when consumed in excessive amounts. Different vehicles are used for delivering the xylitol into the human body, but chewing gums occupy a leading position. The present review is devoted to comprehensive analyses of the positive and negative effects of this polyol on human health.Key Points• The health benefits of xylitol are not limited to oral hygiene.• Xylitol efficiently stimulates the immune system, digestion, lipid and bone metabolism.• Xylitol helps in glycemic and obesity control; reduces ear and respiratory infections.• Xylitol treats diseases that cannot be cured through antibiotics or by surgery.