Relationship between cariogenic bacteria and molar incisor hypomineralization in Brazilian schoolchildren.

Background: Teeth with defects in their structure, such as the ones affected by molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH), are more susceptible to carious lesions. Caries is a complex and multifactorial disease highly prevalent in childhood. The present research evaluated the relationship between the stages of MIH and cariogenic bacteria in children. Methods: After examining 566 schoolchildren, four groups of 10 children each were formed: healthy (G1), mild MIH (G2 and G3), and severe MIH + caries (G4). Dental biofilm was assessed to quantify Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus spp. (LB) using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: LB counting in biofilm samples of healthy children (G1) and those with mild MIH characterized by white opacities (G2) were not significantly different. The same happened when the ones with yellow opacities (G3) were compared with severe MIH + caries (G4) (P>0.05). The post hoc Tukey test proved that G4 had greater levels of SM and LB when compared with G2 (P<0.05); however, the control group did not diverge from the others considering SM (P>0.05). Increased LB enhanced the severity of MIH [rate ratio (RR): 7.706; P=0.035]. Conclusions: LB was influenced by different degrees of MIH and the presence of caries and could guide clinical decisions and patients' recommendations to prevent carious lesions in MIH children.

Early childhood caries, obesity and anthropometric measurements: Is there a relationship?

This brief research report explored the relationship among obesity, anthropometric measurements, and early childhood caries (ECC), in 3-5 years-old children. Three hundred and ninety-one Brazilian preschoolers were given anthropometric examinations for the assessment of general, peripheral, and central adiposity, by the following measures: body mass index (BMI), hip circumference, and waist circumference. Obesity status was determined by BMI according to WHO standards. Parent's age and BMI were assessed by questionnaire, and sucrose exposure was tracked by means of a food diary. For the assessment of ECC, dental examinations were performed according to modified WHO criteria. Also, the presence of dental biofilm in maxillary incisors was detected. A direct association between BMI and ECC was found in the bivariate analysis and the best possibility of logistic regression model showed that hip circumference (HC) values ≥62 centimeters (OR = 1.63; p = 0.033) jointly with the presence of dental biofilm (OR = 2.38; p = 0.000), children's ages ≥37 months (OR = 5.09; p = 0.012), and mothers younger than 35 years (OR = 1.96; p = 0.004) were significantly connected with ECC. In conclusion, peripheral adiposity (represented by HC) in young children was in fact associated with ECC. Thus, hip circumference might be a valuable tool for exploring the relationship between caries and obesity in the early years of life.

Biofilm accumulation and sucrose rinse modulate calcium and fluoride bioavailability in the saliva of children with early childhood caries.

This study aimed at investigating the combined effect of biofilm accumulation and 20% sucrose rinse on the modulation of calcium (Ca2+), phosphate (Pi), and fluoride (F-) bioavailability in the saliva of children with early childhood caries (ECC). Fifty-six preschoolers of both genders were evaluated according to caries experience and activity: caries-free (CF, n = 28) and with ECC (n = 28) and then, submitted to biofilm intervention (biofilm accumulation). In each situation, saliva samples were collected before and five minutes after a 20% sucrose rinse to determine the concentrations of Ca2+, Pi, and F-. Calcium concentration was significantly lower in the biofilm accumulation situation compared to the situation of biofilm mechanical control (p ≤ 0.01), except for CF children after sucrose rinse. Biofilm accumulation increased salivary calcium concentration in children with ECC after sucrose rinse (p = 0.04), whereas mechanical biofilm control reduced it in both groups (p = 0.000). Phosphate concentration was influenced by mechanical control of biofilm in CF children (p = 0.03). The fluoride bioavailability was reduced by sucrose rinse and biofilm accumulation in CF and ECC children (p ≤ 0.002). In conclusion, the combined effect of biofilm accumulation and sucrose rinse modifies the bioavailability of calcium and fluoride in the saliva of children with early childhood caries.

Prevalência de obesidade infantil: há motivo de preocupação? / Prevalence of childhood obesity: is there a cause for concern?

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade em pré-escolares e investigar a relação entre o índice de massa corporal (IMC) das crianças e o de seus pais. Para tanto, conduziu-se uma pesquisa transversal com 968 crianças, de 3-5 anos, regularmente matriculadas em pré-escolas públicas. O estado nutricional infantil foi definido pelo IMC após aferição do peso e estatura no próprio ambiente escolar, considerando-se o sexo e a idade em meses. De acordo com os critérios da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), as crianças foram classificadas em eutróficas, baixo peso, risco de sobrepeso, sobrepeso ou obesas. O IMC dos pais foi calculado com os dados de peso e estatura obtidos por meio de questionário. Observou-se que 1% de crianças tinham baixo peso, 62% eram eutróficas, 17% apresentavam risco de sobrepeso, 12% sobrepeso e 8% obesidade. O IMC infantil mostrou-se positivamente correlacionado com o IMC materno e paterno (p < 0,05). Concluiu-se que a prevalência de obesidade e sobrepeso infantil na população estudada é alarmante e que o IMC da criança foi correlacionado ao dos pais. Tais achados devem ser motivo de preocupação das autoridades, reforçando a necessidade de estratégias de atenção à saúde abrangendo todo o núcleo familiar.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight/obesity in preschoolers and to investigate the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) of the children and of their parents. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 968 children aging 3-5 years old from public preschools. The children's nutritional status was defined by the BMI, after measuring their weight and height at the preschool, considering sex and age in months. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the children were classified as eutrophic, thin, at risk of being overweight, overweight or obese. The parents' BMI was calculated using weight and height data obtained through a questionnaire. One percent of children were thin, 62% eutrophic, 17% at risk of overweight, 12% were overweight and 8% obese. Children's BMI was positively correlated with maternal and paternal BMI (p <0.05). It was concluded that the prevalence of obesity and overweight in the population studied is alarming, and the child's BMI was correlated to their parents' BMI. Such findings should be of concern for the authorities, reinforcing the need for health care strategies covering the entire family.

Relationship Between Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli in the Oral Cavity and Intestine of Obese and Eutrophic Children With Early Childhood Caries-Preliminary Findings of a Cross-Sectional Study.

This brief communication assessed whether there was any relationship between the counts of lactobacilli (LB) and mutans streptococci (MS) in the oral cavity and intestine of obese and eutrophic children with early childhood caries (ECC). Seventy-eight preschoolers were assigned into the following groups: 1. obese children with ECC (OECC), 2. eutrophic children with ECC (EECC), 3. obese caries-free children (OCF), and 4. eutrophic caries-free children (ECF). The diagnosis of obesity and ECC was based on the World Health Organization criteria. Dental plaque and fecal samples were collected to assess the counts of MS and LB using selective media. Data were evaluated by Poisson regression analysis, Wilcoxon test, and Sign test. Microbial indicators of ECC in obese children were MS counts in the intestine [rate ratio (RR): 4.38] and presence of LB in the oral cavity (RR: 2.12). The indicators in eutrophic children were MS levels and the presence of LB, both in the oral cavity (RR: 6.35/1.50) and intestine (RR: 2.35/2.38) (p < 0.05). The comparison between MS levels in the mouth and in the intestine revealed significant differences only in the ECF group (p = 0.04). Regarding LB presence in the mouth vs. in the intestine, except for the OCF group (p = 0.03), no other statistical differences were found. Our preliminary findings highlighted that the levels of MS and the presence of LB in the oral cavity, as well as in the lower gastrointestinal tract were associated with ECC. Moreover, obesity was found to influence this relationship.

Análise da sensibilidade após o uso prévio de dessensibilizantes em clareamento dental / Sensitivity analysis after using desensitizing before to the whitening tooth

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a utilização de três diferentes dessensibilizantes dentais antes da aplicação do gel clareador contendo cálcio. Foram selecionados 32 voluntários e estes divididos, aleatoriamente, em 4 grupos (n = 8): G1) Gel de Peróxido de Hidrogênio a 35% contendo cálcio (Gel PH+Ca); G2) Desensibilize KF 2% + (Gel PH+Ca); G3) Desensibilize KF 0,2% + (Gel PH+Ca) e G4) Nano P + (Gel PH+Ca). Os materiais foram aplicados em 3 sessões e, posteriormente, foram realizadas mensurações da sensibilidade utilizando a escala visual analógica de dor, através de estímulos táteis e evaporativos. Não houve diferença estatística (p > 0,05) de sensibilidade entre os indivíduos de grupos diferentes, em nenhum dos períodos de avaliação.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of three different dental desensitizing before application of whitening gel with calcium. They selected 32 volunteers and these randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): G1) Hydrogen Peroxide 35% gel containing calcium (Ca + Gel PH) ; G2) Desensibilize KF + 2% (Gel PH + Ca) ; G3) Desensibilize KF + 0.2 % (Gel PH + Ca) and G4) P + Nano (Gel PH + Ca). The materials were applied in three sessions were held and after, sensitivity measurements using the visual analogue scale of pain through tactile and evaporative actuations. There was no statistical difference (p> 0.05) in sensitivity between individuals of different groups, in any period of assessment.