Impact of Menopausal Duration on Salivary Flow Rate, Tooth Loss, and Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Indian Communities.

Background: Diminishing hormonal levels after menopause evoke physiological changes in a woman's body. Their effects on the oral cavity are noteworthy, considering symptoms of dry mouth, altered taste perceptions, and tooth loss that may be attributed to reduced salivary flow and alveolar density changes. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess changes in salivary flow rate, tooth loss, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) as menopausal duration increased. Materials and Methods: A total of 327 women fulfilling the eligibility criteria were chosen from two villages in the Mysuru district, Karnataka. They were categorized into three groups based on menopausal durations. Salivary flow rates, number of teeth lost, and OHRQoL after menopause were assessed and compared at different menopausal durations. Sociodemographic characteristics and oral hygiene practices were recorded to identify potential confounders. Results: Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between menopausal duration and salivary flow rates (adjusted odds ratio = 2.269). However, no such associations were observed with tooth loss and OHRQoL. Conclusion: Menopausal duration significantly affects salivary flow rate. Its influence on tooth loss and OHRQoL is, however, less evident. Although strong associations cannot be established, the inevitability of the menopausal state advocates consideration of other major yet modifiable factors to improve oral health.

Antimicrobial efficacy of Xylitol, Probiotic and Chlorhexidine mouth rinses among children and elderly population at high risk for dental caries - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Chlorhexidine is considered the most potent chemotherapeutic agent against Streptococcus mutans. However, its side effects due to prolonged use, indicates need for alternatives. The study intended to assess and compare antimicrobial efficacies of probiotic, xylitol and chlorhexidine mouth rinses in children and elderly. Methods: The study was a Double blind Randomized Controlled Trial conducted among residential school children aged 5-12 years and elderly greater than 60 years residing in old age homes. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04399161). 30 participants each among children and elderly were chosen based on eligibility criterion (high risk for caries). They were further randomly divided into 3 groups with 10 participants in each group. Participants were asked to rinse with 15 ml of freshly prepared mouth rinses once daily for 2 minutes for 14 days. Antimicrobial efficacy was determined by assessing change in Streptococcus mutans levels in dental plaque. Results: Significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans counts were observed in both children and elderly (Chlorhexidine: mean difference = 3.11 log10CFU/g, p = 0.022, Xylitol: mean difference = 0.93 log10CFU/g, p = 0.046, Probiotic: mean difference = 1.91 log10CFU/g, p = 0.023 in children); (Chlorhexidine: mean difference = 2.23 log10CFU/g, p = 0.004, Xylitol: mean difference = 1.39 log10CFU/g, p = 0.009, Probiotic: mean difference = 1.61 log10CFU/g, p = 0.018 in elderly). Intergroup comparison showed no significant difference. Conclusions: Antimicrobial efficacy of xylitol and probiotic mouth rinses were comparable to that of chlorhexidine in both children and elderly. Probiotics could potentially be more efficacious than xylitol among children.

Flexural strength and impact strength of heat-cured acrylic and 3D printed denture base resins- A comparative in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the flexural strength and impact strength of heat-cured acrylic/Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resin and 3D printed denture base resin. METHODS: 60 rectangular specimens were fabricated from conventional heat-cured acrylic and 3D-printed denture base resins. 15 specimens each of heat-cured acrylic and 3D printed denture base resin were tested for flexural strength and impact strength. The flexural strength was assessed using three point bend test while impact strength was assessed by Izod impact test. RESULTS: The mean flexural strength of heat-cured acrylic resin was 92.01 ± 12.14 MPa and 3D printed denture base resin was 69.78 ± 7.54 MPa. The mean impact strength of heat-cured acrylic resin was 1.67 ± 0.79 kJ/m2 and 3D printed denture base resin was 1.15 ± 0.40 kJ/m2.The differences in mean impact and flexural strength between heat-cured acrylic and 3D printed denture base resins were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Heat-cured acrylic denture base resin (DPI heat-cure) had greater flexural and impact strength than 3D printed denture base resin (Next Dent denture 3D+).

Patterns of Usage of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Adults Visiting Health Care Centers in Mysuru, India: A Questionnaire-Based Survey.

The study intended to assess extent of complementary and alternative medicine use among patients visiting health care facilities in Mysuru, India, and factors influencing its choice. Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use was 33% and was not influenced by sociodemographic factors and individual health perceptions and habits.

The association of fluoride in drinking water with serum calcium, vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in pregnant women and newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Chronic exposure to fluoride in drinking water causes an increase in plasma fluoride levels that is related to a reduction in calcium transport across the renal tubule endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane. In the present study, it was hypothesised that varying levels of fluoride present in drinking water are associated with serum levels of calcium and the related hormones vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in pregnant women and newborn infants. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included two groups based on the fluoride concentration in drinking water. One group was considered low/optimum in which the fluoride concentration in drinking water was <1 ppm, and the other group was considered a high fluoride group with ≥1 ppm fluoride in drinking water. In each group, 90 pregnant women were recruited at the hospital during delivery. The participants were given a questionnaire regarding their medical history, sunshine exposure duration, and supplement use and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Fluoride was measured in drinking water, urine, maternal serum and cord blood. Serum calcium, vitamin D, and parathyroid hormone were measured in a fully automated analyser. RESULTS: In pregnant women, drinking water that contained fluoride was significantly positively correlated with urine and blood serum. Low mean concentrations of vitamin D and deficient (<10 ng/ml) vitamin D were more prevalent among the high fluoride group irrespective of diet, sunshine exposure and supplementation. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly lower in the high fluoride group than in the low/optimum fluoride group in both pregnant mothers' blood and cord blood. CONCLUSIONS: Drinking water with high fluoride levels was significantly associated with calcium and the related hormones vitamin D and parathyroid hormone.

Effects of commonly consumed beverages on surface roughness and color stability of the nano, microhybrid and hybrid composite resins: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of certain beverages may affect the esthetic and physical properties of the resin composite, thereby undermining the quality of restorations. AIM: To analyze the effect of three beverages (cola, coffee, tea) on color stability and surface roughness of three different types of resin composites at various time intervals in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nano, microhybrid and hybrid resin composites were used. Each material was randomly divided into four equal subgroups of 10 samples each according to the beverages used (cola, coffee, tea, distilled water). The samples were immersed in each beverage for 1, 15 and 30 days. Surface roughness and color changes measurements were noted at the baseline-the first, fifteenth and thirteenth day. RESULTS: It was found that nanoresin composite followed by microhybrid and hybrid showed least surface roughness and color change. The Coke beverage subgroup showed more surface roughness and the subgroup coffee has shown more color changes with respect to other subgroups. CONCLUSION: All specimens showed discoloration after completion of the test period which was visually perceptible and clinically unacceptable. At the end of 30th day, among the materials, nanofilled composite resin showed comparatively less surface roughness and color change than microhybrid and hybrid composite resins.

Relationship of body mass index and dental caries with oral health related quality of life among adolescents of Udupi district, South India.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and dental caries with oral health related quality of life (OHRQoL) among adolescents of Udupi district, India. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 13-15-year-old adolescents was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on age, gender, type of school, frequency of sugar consumption and child oral impacts on dental performances (OIDP). Weight, height and dental caries were recorded as per standard guidelines. RESULTS: Of 456 children, 34.4 % were overweight/obese. There was a significant difference in the distribution of overweight/obese adolescents with respect to age, gender and frequency of sugar consumption. The prevalence of impacts ranged from 7.4-32.8 % in low normal and 12.9-49.7 % in overweight/obese adolescents. Impacts while eating were most frequently reported in both low normal (32.8 %) and overweight/obese (49.7 %) adolescents. There was a significantly higher mean for overweight/obese than low normal adolescents for items related to "eating", "speaking", "sleeping", "smiling", "emotional status", OIDP total score and caries. BMI and decayed teeth (DT) showed significant association with OIDP-Additive score. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with caries and increased BMI had poor OHRQoL.

Comparative assessment of validity and reliability of the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) frequency scale: a cross-sectional survey among adolescents in Davanagere city, Karnataka, India.

AIM: To evaluate reliability and validity of an abbreviated version of the Oral Impact on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire and to analyse the interrelationship between OIDP scores, socio-demographic characteristics and oral health status among high school children in Davanagere city, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted with 900 school children aged between 12 and 15. The subjects were randomly selected from six high schools. Selected subjects completed a survey instrument predesigned to measure subjective oral health indicators including the eight-item OIDP frequency scores. The study participants were clinically examined for dental caries, and they completed a self-administered questionnaire about demographic information and oral behaviours. RESULTS: 44% of the students reported at least one oral impact in the previous 6 months. The reliability of the instrument was measured in terms of Cronbach's alpha for the OIDP frequency. It was found to be 0.81. Eating was the most common performance affected (33%) followed by cleaning teeth (22%) and speaking (20%). The severity of impacts was low for relaxing and carrying out works. CONCLUSION: The OIDP frequency score has acceptable psychometric properties in the context of an oral health survey among high school children of Davanagere city, Karnataka, India.

Efficacy of commercial and household denture cleansers against Candida albicans adherent to acrylic denture base resin: an in vitro study.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of two commercial and two household denture cleansers against Candida albicans adherent to acrylic denture base resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty specimens of acrylic denture base resin (10 × 10 × 2 mm) were fabricated and processed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sterile acrylic resin specimens were inoculated by immersing in Sabouraud broth containing C albicans for 16 hours at 37°C in an incubator. Then the specimens were washed and immersed in denture cleansers (four groups) - Clinsodent (powder form), Fittydent (tablet form), vinegar (4% acetic acid), diluted vinegar (50% diluted with water), and water (control group) for 8 hours at room temperature. After 8 hours the acrylic resin specimens were washed, fixed with methanol, and stained with crystal violet. Candida cells adherent to the acrylic resin specimens were counted under microscope. The number of cells adherent to the test samples were compared with that adherent to the control. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were analyzed using the independent-samples 't ' tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's HSD test. RESULTS: All the denture cleansers were highly effective against C albicans. The effectiveness of commercial denture cleansers was significant better than that of household denture cleansers. Fittydent fared better than Clinsodent, but the difference between the two was not statistically significant (P=.765). Vinegar was more effective than diluted vinegar (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, denture cleansers were found to be effective in reducing C albicans cells adhering to dentures. The commercial denture cleansers (Fittydent and Clinsodent) were more effective than household denture cleansers (vinegar and diluted vinegar).

Validity and reliability of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances Frequency Scale: a cross-sectional survey among adolescents.

AIM: To examine reliability and validity of an abbreviated version of Oral Impacts on Daily Performances (OIDP) questionnaire and to analyze the interrelationship among OIDP scores, socio-demographic characteristics and oral health status among 12-15 year old adolescents in Davanagere city, Karnataka, India. METHOD: The descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 900 adolescents aged between 12-15 years. The study subjects were randomly selected from six high schools. Selected subjects completed a survey instrument designed to measure subjective oral health indicators including the eight-item OIDP frequency scores. The study participants were clinically examined for dental caries and completed a self-administered questionnaire about demographic information and oral behaviors. RESULTS: 44% of the students reported at least one oral impact in the last six months. Cronbach's alpha for the OIDP frequency items was 0.81. Eating was the most common performance affected (33%) followed by cleaning teeth (22%) and speaking (20%). The severity of impacts was low for relaxing and carrying out works. CONCLUSION: The OIDP frequency score have acceptable psychometric properties in the context of an oral health survey among 12-15 year old adolescents.

Relationship between body mass index and dental caries among adolescent children in South India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and dental caries and to study the role of sweet consumption in predicting this relationship among adolescent children in Udupi district, India. METHODS: The study population consisted of 463 school children in the 13-15-year age group. Anthropometric (height in metres and weight in kilograms) and caries measurements and decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) index, were carried out by a trained recorder according to standard criteria. RESULTS: The majority of the children were having low normal weight (BMI < 25) with 18.6% classified as overweight (BMI 25-29.9) and 3.5% as obese (BMI > 30). The frequency of sweet consumption significantly increased from low normal weight children to overweight and obese children. Analysis showed that the obese group of children had more caries than the overweight and low normal weight children. Correlation analysis showed significant positive relation with BMI, decayed teeth (DT) [r = 0.254, p < 0.001] and DMFT (r = 0.242, p < 0.001). Binomial logistic regression showed that males (OR = 2.09, CI = 1.01, 4.33), obese/overweight children (OR = 3.68, CI = 1.79, 7.56) and those who consumed sweets more than once a day (OR = 3.13, CI = 1.25, 7.85) were more likely to have high caries experience. CONCLUSION: There was a significant association between overweight/obesity and caries experience among school children of the Udupi district. Obesity and dental caries have common risk determinants and require a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach by both medical and dental healthcare professionals.

Fluoride content in bottled drinking waters, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices in Davangere city, India.

BACKGROUND: The regular ingestion of fluoride lowers the prevalence of dental caries. The total daily intake of fluoride for optimal dental health should be 0.05-0.07 mg fluoride/kg body weight and to avoid the risk of dental fluorosis, the daily intake should not exceed a daily level of 0.10 mg fluoride/kg body weight. The main source of fluoride is from drinking water and other beverages. As in other countries, consumption of bottled water, juices and carbonated beverages has increased in our country. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the fluoride content in bottled water, juices and carbonated soft drinks that were commonly available in Davangere city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three samples of 10 commercially available brands of bottled drinking water, 12 fruit juices and 12 carbonated soft drinks were purchased. Bottled water and carbonated soft drinks were stored at a cold place until fluoride analysis was performed and a clear juice was prepared using different fruits without the addition of water. Then, the fluoride analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation of fluoride content of bottled water, fruit juices and carbonated soft drinks were measured, which were found to be 0.20 mg (±0.19) F/L, 0.29 mg (±0.06) F/L and 0.22 mg (±0.05) F/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: In viewing the results of the present study, it can be concluded that regulation of the optimal range of fluoride in bottled drinking water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices should be drawn for the Indian scenario.