Efficacy of bioactivated anticalculus toothpaste on oral health: a single-blind, parallel-group clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Current epidemiologic studies have confirmed the widespread presence of calculus in teenagers and adults of all ages. Among the multiple anticalculus strategies that have been proposed over the years inhibition of crystal growth has been the most attractive. Current formulations in anticalculus toothpastes and mothwash, utilize either hydroxyapatite or various pyrophosphate combinations. This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of an anticalculus tooth paste in combination or not with a mouth rinse. METHODS: Patients (totally 40) used a pyrophosphate-based toothpaste containing tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, pentasodium triphosphate, xylitol, hydroxyapatite, citric acid, and calcium carbonate (group A) in combination, with a mouth rinse containing an association of pentasodium triphosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate and citric acid (group B). A range of parameters were measured for: saliva pH, Volpe Manhold Calculus Index (VMI), Gingival Index (GI), and Plaque Index (PI). RESULTS: The test mouth rinse group B showd reductions in VMI, GI, PI, and increases in pH levels, after using the combination of toothpaste and mouth rinse. No changes in the mucosa or teeth were observed in both groups. Patients perceived that the comitation of products was more effective. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the three-month calculus examination indicated that both the tested products, modified positively clincal parameters and salivary pH. Moreover, the use of the tested products was not associated with any adverse effects.

Taste and Smell Disorders in COVID-19 Patients: Role of Interleukin-6.

The rapid recovery of smell and taste functions in COVID-19 patients could be attributed to a decrease in interleukin-6 levels rather than central nervous system ischemic injury or viral damage to neuronal cells. To correlate interleukin-6 levels in COVID-19 patients with olfactory or gustatory dysfunctions and to investigate the role of IL-6 in the onset of these disorders, this observational study investigated 67 COVID-19 patients with taste or smell disorders or both, who did not require intensive care admission, admitted at COVID Hospital of Policlinico of Bari from March to May 2020. Interleukin-6 was assayed in COVID-19 patients with taste or smell disturbances at the time of admission and at the time of swab negativization. At the same time, patients have been given a specific survey to evaluate the severity of taste and smell disturbances. Of 125 patients with smell or taste dysfunctions at onset of disease, 67 fulfilled the inclusion criteria, while 58 were excluded because 35 of them required intensive care admission, 5 were unable to answer, 5 died, 7 had finished chemotherapy recently, and 5 refused to participate. The evaluation of taste and smell disorders was carried out using a survey performed at the time of admission and at the time of swab negativization. Sinonasal outcome test 22 (SNOT-22) was used as a reference for olfactory function assessment, and Taste and Smell Questionnaire Section of the US NHANES 2011-2014 protocol (CDC 2013b) was used as reference for gustatory function assessment. A venous blood sample was taken for each patient to measure IL-6 levels upon entry and at swab negativization. Interleukin-6 levels in COVID-19 patients in relation to olfactory or gustatory disorders were correlated from the time of their admission to the time of swab negativization. Statistically significant correlations were obtained between the decrease of interleukin-6 levels and the improvement of smell (p value < 0.05) and taste (p = 0.047) functions at swab negativization. The acquired results demonstrate the key role of interleukin-6 in the pathogenesis of chemosensitive disorders in COVID-19 patients.