Factors affecting tooth loss among rural Khon Kaen adults: analysis of two data sets.

BACKGROUND: Tooth loss is an oral health problem affecting Thai people and people of other nations as well. Not much of epidemiologic evidence concerning factors affecting tooth loss among Thai people has been reported although severity of tooth loss among Thai people has never been decreased. METHODS: This study employed two existing data sets to evaluate the role of health behaviors such as tobacco smoking and betel quid chewing (a common habit prevalent among rural Thai females), together with other factors in relation to tooth loss among rural Thai people. The study population in the first (phase I) and second (phase II) data sets included 1484 and 3471 male and female adults residing in rural areas of Khon Kaen province, Thailand during 1990-1991 and 1992-1994, respectively. The data were obtained through oral examination and interview. Employing descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable Poisson regression, key risk indicators of tooth loss were identified for both data sets. RESULTS: The findings from final multivariable Poisson regression models were consistent in that tobacco smoking, betel quid chewing, age, dental caries (defined as decayed plus filled teeth) and periodontitis were significantly related to tooth loss among these rural populations. CONCLUSION: Therefore, preventive programs aiming at discouraging Thai people from smoking tobacco and/or chewing betel quid should be established so that healthy natural teeth can be maintained.

Clinical and microbiological effects of subgingival irrigation with Streblus asper leaf extract in chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and microbiological effects of subgingival irrigation of Streblus asper leaf extract (SAE) solution as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in chronic periodontitis patients. METHODOLOGY: Forty-two subjects were included and treated with SRP at baseline (week 0), followed by subgingival irrigation with saline (control group, n=21) or SAE (test group, n=21) solution (80 mg/ml) at weeks zero, one, two, three, and four. Clinical parameters, including gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD), and relative attachment level (RAL) were measured at weeks zero, six, and 12. Microbiological parameters were measured at weeks zero, one, two, three, four, six, and 12. RESULTS: The SAE solution significantly reduced the GI compared with saline solution (p < 0.01). However, a reduction in PI, PD, and RAL was noted for both groups, with no statistically significant intergroup differences. The reduction in the number ofA. actinomycetemcomitans and/or P. gingivalis was maintained throughout the study period after subgingival irrigation with SAE solution, while an initial reduction and subsequent rebound were observed after saline irrigation. However, the mean number and mean percentages of sites with 10 times the reduction in number of these bacteria were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Subgingival irrigation with SAE solution as an adjunct to SRP is effective at reducing gingival inflammation, but not PD, RAL, and the number of A. actinomycetemcomitans and/or P. gingivalis.

In vitro inhibitory effect of Streblus asper leaf-extract on adhesion of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells.

This in vitro study aimed at determining the effects of a sublethal concentration of Streblus asper Lour (Moraceae) leaf ethanolic extract on adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells (HBEC). The minimum concentration of Streblus asper leaf ethanolic extract (SAE) that significantly reduced adherence (P<0.05) after a 1-h exposure was 15.6 mg/ml. However, there was a significant reduction (P<0.05) of candidal adhesion to HBEC after 1-min exposure to 125 mg/ml of SAE. Pre-treatment of either Candida or HBEC, or both, with 125 mg/ml of SAE for 1h resulted in reduced adherence. SAE at concentrations of 125 and 250 mg/ml also showed 41 and 61% inhibition of germ tube formation, respectively, which might affect adherence. These findings indicate that the sublethal concentration of SAE may modulate candidal colonization of the oral mucosa thereby suppressing the invasive potential of the pathogen.