Antibacterial effectiveness of different zinc salts on Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus: An in-vitro study.

Objectives: This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effects of four zinc salts namely zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc citrate and zinc acetate against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus). Methods: Antibacterial susceptibility assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were undertaken to evaluate the inhibitory activities of different zinc salts against the tested bacteria. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphological changes of bacterial cells following exposure to zinc salts. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the inhibitory effect of the different zinc salts. Results: All zinc salts tested against S. mutans and S. sobrinus had a statistically and significantly smaller inhibition zone when compared to chlorhexidine, (P < 0.001). However, zinc chloride had the largest inhibition zone (20 mm ± 5.5) against S. sobrinus, which was comparable to chlorhexidine (22 mm ± 4) (P > 0.05). Zinc chloride, zinc sulfate and zinc acetate demonstrated higher MIC and MBC values against S. mutans compared to S. sobrinus. However, zinc citrate revealed the highest MIC and MBC values of 1 mg/mL and > 8 mg/mL for S. sobrinus and > 8 mg/mL for S. mutans, respectively. Conclusion: Different zinc salts have displayed inhibitory growth effects against the common oral bacteria at very low concentrations except for zinc citrate which showed no inhibitory effect against these bacteria in vitro.

YouTube™ as a source of information on vitamin D: A content-quality analysis.

BACKGROUND: YouTube™ is considered a convenient and popular platform to seek healthcare information, which is uploaded by people of various professions. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the content and quality of the YouTube videos containing information about vitamin D for children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A YouTube search was performed using the terms 'vitamin D for children' and 'vitamin D deficiency in children'. Two independent reviewers scored the videos with the use of a customized 11-point scoring scheme and the 5-point Global Quality Scale (GQS) to assess the content and quality of each video. The videos were further classified into poor, moderate and good videos. The Kruskal­Wallis and χ2 tests as well as Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In a total of 120 videos screened, 70 videos were included. They had a median content score of 4 and a median GQS score of 3. According to the information included in the videos and their overall quality, most of the videos were categorized as moderate (n = 33; 47.14% and n = 32; 45.71%, respectively). Good-quality videos had statistically significantly higher content scores as compared to the other groups (p = 0.001). A positive correlation was found between the total content score and the GQS score (ρ = 0.434; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the videos on YouTube about vitamin D were rated as moderate according to the sufficiency of information, and also their overall quality. This suggests that health organizations need to make further efforts to create good-quality medical content on popular social media platforms, such as YouTube.

The Association of Early Childhood Caries with Salivary Antimicrobial Peptide LL37 and Mutans Streptococci.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the relation of salivary LL37 level and mutans streptococci levels in early childhood caries (ECC). STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was performed in children ≤71 months old. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected and the level of salivary LL37 was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The mutans streptococci oral bacteria were isolated from saliva and identified using a modified SB-20 culture medium (SB-20M). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, bivariate, and Spearman's rank correlation analysis. RESULTS: The was a variability of salivary LL37 level among the children and the level was significantly associated with age and races. The median (IQR) value of salivary LL37 in caries-free (CF) children was significantly higher 393.50 (580.55) ng/mL compared to 172.50 (234.65) ng/mL in the ECC group. The ECC children exhibited a significantly higher count of S. mutans and S. sobrinus compared to the CF children. An inverse weak correlation between salivary LL37 and dmft was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The low salivary LL37 level and higher S. mutans and S. sobrinus count in ECC supported the protective role of salivary LL37 against dental caries. Further studies are required to explore the definite relation between salivary LL37 levels and dental caries.

The antibacterial effects of vitamin D3 against mutans streptococci: an in vitro study.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of the cholecalciferol vitamin D3 against Streptococcus sobrinus (Strep. sobrinus) and Streptococcus mutans (Strep. mutans) bacteria in vitro that is considered the main causative bacteria in dental caries development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antimicrobial effects of vitamin D3 were evaluated against Strep. sobrinus and Strep mutans using the agar disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of vitamin D3 were determined using a microdilution method following the guidelines by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphological changes of bacterial cells following exposure to vitamin D3. RESULTS: Strep. sobrinus was more sensitive to vitamin D3 compared to Strep. mutans bacteria. The MIC values of vitamin D3 against Strep. sobrinus and Strep. mutans were 60 µg/ mL and 250 µg/mL respectively whereas the MBC values were 120 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, significant changes in the bacterial morphology were observed in treated bacterial cells with vitamin D3 as compared to the untreated control bacteria using SEM. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that vitamin D3 has excellent antimicrobial effects against Strep. sobrinus and Strep. mutans and may be considered as a promising compound in the prevention of dental caries in the future. Further research is recommended to elucidate the mechanism of vitamin D3 on these bacteria.

Serum and Saliva 25(OH)D Levels in Relation to Dental Caries in Young Children.

OBJECTIVE: Several studies have reported that low levels of vitamin D (25(OH)D) are associated with an increased risk of dental caries and that optimal levels may offer protection This study aimed to assess the relationship between serum and saliva 25(OH)D levels and caries among young children. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 120 healthy children were recruited; 93 with caries and 27 caries-free. Dental caries status was evaluated using decayed, missing and filled in primary teeth (dmft) index. Blood and unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected. Laboratory analysis was performed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, bivariate and Spearman's rank correlation analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant associations between serum and saliva 25(OH)D levels and caries status (P > 0.05). Levels of 25(OH)D in serum were significantly higher than levels found in saliva (P < 0.05), and a correlation between serum and saliva 25(OH)D levels was observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The association between serum and saliva 25(OH)D and dental caries in young children was inconclusive. However, a positive and significant correlation was observed between serum and saliva 25(OH)D levels. Further studies are warranted to investigate the definite relation between 25(OH)D levels and dental caries and using saliva 25(OH)D as a non-invasive alternative method over blood samples.

A case report of cleidocranial dysplasia: A noninvasive approach.

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare bone disorder. The main dental features are the presence of multiple retained deciduous teeth and supernumerary teeth, as well as unerupted permanent teeth. To date, CCD is managed by a combination approach, which consists of the extraction of deciduous and supernumerary teeth, followed by orthodontic traction of unerupted permanent teeth. This case highlights the management of a girl with CCD, who refused the recommended protocol. A 15-year-old Malay female presented with a complaint of retained deciduous teeth. Intraoral examination revealed multiple retained deciduous teeth. Radiographs showed numerous impacted supernumerary and unerupted permanent teeth. The patient opted to improve her facial appearance with a less aggressive treatment option. A composite build-up on all anterior maxillary deciduous teeth was carried out until the patient was ready to undergo surgical intervention.

Dental caries and vitamin D status in children in Asia.

Dental caries and vitamin D inadequacy are known to affect children worldwide. Vitamin D has a vital role in tooth formation. There is growing evidence linking suboptimal serum vitamin D level with dental caries in children. This paper reviews the literature on both the prevalence of dental caries and of vitamin D deficiency in children in four Asian regions, discusses their associated risk factors, and reviews the global evidence on the association between dental caries and vitamin D in children. Caries prevalence in children ranged from 40% to 97% in Eastern Asia, 38-73.7% in Southern Asia, and 26.5-74.7% in Western Asian countries. Moreover, a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Asian children was identified, even in countries in equatorial regions, ranging from 2.8% to 65.3% in Eastern Asia, 5-66.7% in Southern Asia, 4-45.5% in Western Asia and 38.1-78.7% in Central Asian countries. Obesity, age, female gender, higher latitude, season, darker skin pigmentation, sunlight protection behaviors, less sunlight exposure and low intake of food containing vitamin D were important factors associated with lower serum vitamin D in Asia. Suboptimal vitamin D level in children may be a significant risk factor for dental caries, and requires further research to ascertain such an association in children in Asia, as well as to understand its exact influence on caries risk and development.

A systematic review on antibacterial activity of zinc against Streptococcus mutans.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to systematically review the growth inhibition effectiveness of zinc against Streptococcus mutans. The main question was, "Does the zinc inhibit the growth of oral Streptococcus mutans in vitro? METHODS: Literature search on PubMed, Medline, and science direct databases was carried out for in vitro studies published in English from 1990 to 2016, and the reported outcomes of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), zone of inhibition (ZOI) and bacterial count method using colony forming unit (CFU) were used to assess the antibacterial effectiveness of zinc. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included in this review. Seven studies reported MIC and MBC. Four studies reported ZOI, and eight studies reported CFU. MIC values using zinc chloride and zinc oxide nanoparticles were ranged from 0.025 to 0.2 mM and 0.390 to 500 ±â€¯306.18 µg/ml respectively. MBC values using zinc oxide nanoparticles have ranged from 3.125 to 500 µg/ml. ZOI ranged from no inhibition zone to 21 ±â€¯1.4 mm using 23.1% zinc oxide. A considerable reduction in the bacterial count was reported after adding zinc. However, only two studies have reported no inhibitory effect of zinc. CONCLUSION: This review indicated a significant growth inhibition effectiveness of zinc even at lower concentrations which indicate it's safely to be used in oral health products.