Evaluation of oral hygiene self-efficacy, knowledge, and motivation among young adults of rural-based tamilian population: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Oral hygiene is the most essential factor in the prevention and therapy of many diseases, especially the periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral hygiene-related knowledge, self-efficacy, and motivation of the young adults of rural-based Tamilian population, with their current oral hygiene practices to assess the effect of patient motivation after initial periodontal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred patients filled out questionnaires based on their oral hygiene-related knowledge. Plaque index, gingival index, and gingival bleeding index were recorded and correlated with their questionnaire knowledge. Initial periodontal therapy and motivation were done to all patients. After 6 months, oral health status was evaluated again. RESULTS: There was a lower correlation value with insignificant P value between the questionnaire score and plaque and gingival index score, (r = 0.125, 0.166). However, the correlation between questionnaire score and modified papilla bleeding index score was high (r = 0.254) with significant (P = 0.011). After 6 months following the initial periodontal treatment, significant decrease in all the three indices scores was noted with significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Oral hygiene-related motivational approaches targeting rural young adult population has the potential to predict oral hygiene behavior and influences the clinical outcomes.

Perioceutics: Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors as an adjunctive therapy for inflammatory periodontal disease.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) form a group of more than 20 zinc-dependent enzymes that are crucial in the degradation of the main components in the extracellular matrix, and thereby play important roles in cell migration, wound healing, and tissue remodeling. MMPs have outgrown the field of extracellular matrix biology and have progressed toward being important regulatory molecules in inflammation, and hence are key components in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. This rise in status has led to the development of MMP inhibitors which can act as switches or delicate tuners in acute and chronic inflammation and the regenerative phase after inflammation. The new challenge in MMP research is to better understand the complex role these enzymes play in periodontal disease and to design inhibitors that are successful in the clinic. Perioceutics or the use of the pharmacological agents specifically developed to manage periodontitis is an interesting and emerging aid in the management of periodontal diseases along with mechanical debridement. The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to MMPs and their inhibitors, the pathologic effects of a disturbance in the functions of enzyme cascades in balance with natural inhibitors, and highlight on the adjunctive use of MMP inhibitors in periodontal therapy and some of the current challenges with an overview of what has been achieved till date.