Oral health status in preschool asthmatic children in Iran.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways, which is diagnosed by periodic symptoms of inflammation, bronchial spasm, and increased mucosal secretions. It has higher incidence among the preschool children. There are many contradictory reports based on the effect of asthma on oral health, however it has been hypothesized that asthma could lead to poor oral health. The objective of the present study was to investigate oral health indices in 44 preschool children of three to six years old with mild to moderate asthma and 46 matched healthy children in Tehran Children's Respiratory Center. Dental plaque, gingival inflammation, mouth breathing, and dental caries were evaluated by one trained examiner according to World Health Organization [WHO] criteria. Culture and colony counting of streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus species were carried out in saliva specimens of the patients. The effects of different factors on the colony counts were statistically analyzed using linear regression analysis. The level of mother's education and preexisting asthma disease in children had significant effect on the colony counts of streptococcus species whereas no factor was found to influence the number of lactobacillus counts significantly. The results indicated no significant differences between the children with asthma and those without asthma regarding (decayed, missing, filled, teeth) dmft index (mean of 3.34 in asthmatic children and 3.0 in the control group). Therefore, it can be deduced that the presence of asthma disease did not increase the probability of tooth decay.

Treatment of Ankyloglossia with Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser in a Pediatric Patient.

INTRODUCTION: Laser surgery as an alternative for conventional surgical procedure has gained special attention. Using Carbon Dioxide (CO2) laser has some benefits like less post-operative pain, swelling and infection, decrease in risk of metastasis and edema, and less bleeding providing dry sites for surgery. CASE REPORT: A 12 years old boy with lingual frenum with indication for excision was referred to the laser department of Tehran University of medical sciences dental school.CO2 laser was used with 10600 nm wavelength, 1.5 W output power, 100 Hz frequency and 400 µsec pulse duration in non-contact mode. RESULTS: The result of using CO2 laser was dry and bloodless field during operation, no post operative swelling, no pain or discomfort, with normal healing process. CONCLUSION: We suggest and stimulate the use of CO2 laser for soft tissue surgery because of elimination of suture, convenient coagulation, time saving, patients' comfort and easy manipulation.