Association of diet with dental caries in preschool children

Milk Consumption and Its Association with Dental Caries: Gender-Specific Insights from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015)

Background and Objectives: This study aims to bridge these gaps by utilizing data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015), examining the nuanced associations between milk consumption's quantity, frequency, and type and the prevalence of dental caries. Materials and Methods: Utilizing data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015), this study explores the association between milk consumption and the prevalence of dental caries in a sample of 4843 subjects (weighted n = 15,581), including 2856 males and 1987 females; weighted sample sizes were 6656 and 8925 for men and women, respectively. The prevalence of dental caries was assessed by evaluating the number of decayed, filled, and missing teeth. Results: The analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between increased milk consumption and the risk of developing dental caries, with an overall odds ratio of 1.653 (95% CI: 1.153-2.370, p < 0.05). The association was more pronounced in females, exhibiting an odds ratio of 1.865 (95% CI: 1.157-3.006, p < 0.05), and age was identified as a significant variable, particularly among participants aged 50 and above. In contrast, the relationship among the male group, though positive (odds ratio: 1.613, 95% CI: 0.991-2.625), was not statistically significant (p = 0.054). Conclusion: These findings suggest that milk consumption may be a potential risk indicator for dental caries, particularly among women, emphasizing the need for targeted dietary recommendations in dental health practices.

Assessment of Cariogenicity by pH-value Decrement of Plaque Solution with Four Infant Milk Formulas: An In Vitro Study

Introduction

People all over the world use a wide variety of infant formulas to nourish the infants. Recent studies demonstrated the high caries-inducing potential of infant formulas. This indicates a need for awareness toward the possible role of the infant formulas in the etiology of early childhood caries (ECC).

Aim

The present study was undertaken to evaluate and comparatively assess the change in plaque pH solutions after fermenting four commonly used infant milk formulas.

Materials and methods

This simple randomized study was carried out on 40 healthy children aged 4–6 years old. The children received full-mouth prophylaxis before examination. They were asked not to implicate oral hygiene for 24 hours and not to have anything at least 2 hours prior the study. Supragingival plaque from the buccal surface of posterior teeth was collected using a Hu-Friedy's curette. Four commonly used infant milk formulas were prepared and given to children for rinsing. The pH of plaque samples were measured at 30 and 60 minutes at 37°C.

Results

The present study showed that all of the four infant milk formulas decreased the mean pH values in plaque solutions significantly after 30 and 60 minutes of preparation.

Conclusion

Our results showed that the plaque pH varied in response to the oral rinsing with the various infant formulas and most of infant formulas were able to reduce the pH significantly below the pH before the rinse. Based upon this study further evaluation of the cariogenicity of infant formulas is recommended.

How to cite this article

Pandey A, Pathivada L, Kajapuram P, et al. Assessment of Cariogenicity by pH-value Decrement of Plaque Solution with Four Infant Milk Formulas: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(3):263-266.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial to Assess the Acidogenic Potential of Dental Biofilms through a Tablet Containing Weissella cibaria CMU

The possibility of preventing dental caries by taking probiotic bacterium Weissella cibaria (W. cibaria) CMU tablets to alter the pH of the dental plaque in the oral cavity was evaluated. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on adults aged 20 years or older with 20 or more natural teeth. Ninety-two people underwent dental scaling before being randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 49) or the control group (n = 43). Depending on the group they belonged to, W. cibaria CMU or the placebo was administered to them once daily for 8 weeks before bedtime. Twenty-four subjects were later excluded from the study because the week 8 dosing was not smoothly performed, for a final subject count of 68. The Cariview test was used to evaluate the amount of acid produced by the dental plaque to assess the risk of caries. The results showed that although there was no significant difference between the results of the two groups, the intake of the W. cibaria CMU tablets eliminated the risk of developing dental caries from acid production in the oral flora because the W. cibaria colonizes and lives in the dental plaque and the oral cavity and suppresses acids.

Role of diet in ECC affected South Indian children assessed by the HEI-2005: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

"Early Childhood Caries"(ECC) is a serious global oral health problem affecting children of 71 months of age or younger. ECC has a multifactorial model of causation and diet imparts an intricately specific effect.

AIM

The study aims to determine the protective and harmful role of different dietary consumption in the causation of ECC in South Indian children, assessed by the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005).

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

A pilot study of cross-sectional analytical study design was conducted in a dental college and hospitals in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hundred healthy South Indian children of 3-6 years age were screened for dental caries by the ICDAS II criteria, dmf/dmfs and pufa index. Participants were divided into three groups according to their caries status such as [Group 1:caries-free, group 2:ECC, group 3:severe ECC (S-ECC)]. Questionnaires were collected with demographic details, 24 h previous dietary record, and a subsequent 3-day chart of dietary consumption. Accordingly, the HEI-2005 score was calculated for each participant. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of sociodemographic data, Kruskal-Wallis test for multivariate analysis, and for interpreting the total effect of HEI on study groups, logistic regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

Caries experience in South Indian children demonstrated a significant association with age. Caries-free children showed significantly higher association with darkgreen/orange vegetables/legumes, milk, and calories from SoFAAS (solid fat, alcohol, and added sugars) than the other groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings illustrated a prominent protective role played by specific components of the HEI-2005, as healthy dietary intake against dental caries in South Indian children.

A Comparative Evaluation of Time-dependent Changes on the Surface Hardness of Bulk Cure Composites: An in vitro Study

Objectives

The objective of this in vitro study was to assess the surface hardness through Vickers hardness (VH) test of one conventional hybrid resin composites (Filtek Z350), compared with that of two bulk cure resin composites (SDR™, Tetric N Ceram®).

Materials and methods

Twenty specimens of each material were prepared in cylindrical aluminum molds with an internal diameter of 5 mm and depth of 4 mm, 10 (incremental curing) and 10 (bulk curing).

The surface of each specimen was covered with a transparent plastic matrix strip before light curing with conventional visible light for 40 seconds. The specimens thus obtained were stored in deionized water and transferred to an incubator at 37°C for 24 hours to simulate clinical conditions. After 24 hours, the microhardness of each specimen was measured using a Vickers indenter, with a load of 100 gm and dwell time of 15 seconds (HV 0.2/40).

The specimens were further subjected to VH test in an interval of 7, 30, and 90 days. The data were subjected to statistical analysis—Student’s t test, analysis of variance, and post hoc Tukey’s test.

Results

The present study showed that SDR™ in bulk curing showed consistently greater value of hardness and was comparable to traditional incremental cured Filtek Z350, highlighting the advantages of the new SDR technology.

How to cite this article: Sarma A, Nagar P. A Comparative Evaluation of Time-dependent Changes on the Surface Hardness of Bulk Cure Composites: An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(3):183-187.

Evaluation of Changes in Salivary pH after Intake of Different Eatables and Beverages in Children at Different Time Intervals

Introduction

Dissolution of the enamel in the form of erosion has increased due to shift in eating habits toward carbonated drinks like soft drink and chocolates.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the salivary pH after intake of different eatables and beverages in children at different time intervals.

Study design

Using standard salivary tests, this study was conducted as a case-control study. Fifty children between ages of 8 and 12 years having strict vegetarian diet were included in the study.

Materials and methods

Oral prophylaxis was done and salivary buffer capacity for stimulated saliva was measured. Before the saliva collection, each of the children was informed not to eat or drink anything for up to 2 hours just before the appointment.

Results

On pairwise evaluation, all the differences were found to be significant statistically except between baseline vs 30 minutes. Maximum mean difference was calculated and observed between baseline and immediately after intake of fruit juice and immediate after 30 minutes, 0.953 and 0.963 respectively, while minimum difference was calculated and observed between baseline and 30 minutes after intake of fruit juice (0.010).

Conclusion

Maximum drop was seen in cold drink when compared with fruit juice. The maximum pH increase was observed in cream biscuits with 7.63 ± 0.20. It was observed that in all the groups, the pH gradually got back to near normal levels due to the buffering mechanism of saliva.How to cite this article: Pachori A, Kambalimath H, Maran S, Niranjan B, Bhambhani G, Malhotra G. Evaluation of Changes in Salivary pH after Intake of Different Eatables and Beverages in Children at Different Time Intervals. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(3):177-182.

Assessment of the Healthy Eating Index-2005 as a predictor of early childhood caries

BACKGROUND

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a multifactorial disease resulting mainly from a time-specific interaction of micro-organisms with sugars on a tooth surface.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of dietary intake, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) to ECC.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analytical study.

METHODS

Sixty preschool children were equally divided into three groups according to their caries experience [Group 1: caries-free children, group 2: children with ECC, group 3: children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC)]. The decayed (non-cavitated or cavitated), missing (due to caries) and filled tooth surfaces (dmfs) score was determined through visual dental examination for each child. Questionnaires were collected recording the demographic characteristics of the families as well as 24-h food recall forms capturing the dietary intake of the children during the previous day. Accordingly, the HEI-2005 score was calculated for each child.

RESULTS

The caries experience of the children in this study was significantly associated with their age. Caries-free children showed significantly higher 'Whole fruit', 'Milk', 'Sodium' and total HEI-2005 scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings illustrate the prominent protective role played by healthful dietary practices against dental caries in preschool children.

Association between nocturnal breastfeeding and snacking habits and the risk of early childhood caries in 18- to 23-month-old Japanese children

BACKGROUND

Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among children. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between nocturnal breastfeeding, snacking habits, or other risk factors and ECC in 18- to 23-month-old Japanese children.

METHODS

Study subjects were 1675 children aged 18 to 23 months. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by parents or guardians of the children. The survey contents included such things as number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth per child, smokers in the home, nocturnal breastfeeding habit, snack times, kinds of snacks consumed ≥ 4 days a week, kinds of drinks consumed ≥ 4 days a week, parents brushing their child's teeth daily, and the use of fluoride toothpaste. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds of ECC.

RESULTS

The average number of decayed, missing and filled teeth was 0.10. The prevalence of dental caries was 3.3%. Nocturnal breastfeeding habits were reported in 357 subjects (21.3%). After excluding items of multicollinearity, significant associations were observed between ECC and nocturnal breastfeeding, drinking or eating sweets after dinner every day, and the intake of candy, soda and/or isotonic drinks ≥ 4 days a week.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that nocturnal breastfeeding and snacking habits are correlated with ECC.

Genetic sensitivity to bitter taste of 6-n Propylthiouracil: A useful diagnostic aid to detect early childhood caries in pre-school children

PURPOSE

Genetic factor to bitter taste perception appears to be largely mediated by the TAS2R38 gene. The insensitivity to bitter compounds like 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) is mediated by this gene. PROP, a pharmacological drug used in treatment of Graves' disease, proved to be useful tool in determining the genetic sensitivity levels to bitter and sweet taste. The purpose of this study is to show much simpler PROP sensitivity technique for the clinical examiner and its application as a diagnostic aid in Early Childhood Caries (ECC) detection among preschool children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 119 children belonging to the age group of 36 to 71 months of both sexes, were recruited from A. J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore (Karnataka). PROP sensitivity test was carried out to determine the inherent genetic ability to taste a bitter or sweet substance. This study used simpler scaling method to find out genetic sensitivity to bitter taste; one who tasted bitter as taster and one who was not able to differentiate/tasted like paper as non-taster. A questionnaire was provided to evaluate their dietary habits and caries experience was recorded. Collected data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS

In the total of 119 children the mean dmfs was definitely higher in non-taster children compared to tasters. The tasters had a mean dmfs value of 9.5120 (S.D. 7.0543) and non-tasters had a value of 7.7250 (S.D. 8.33147), which was statistically significant. The results suggested that there was increase in caries experience among the group of non-tasters as compared to tasters. Tasters tended to be sweet dislikers and non-tasters tended to be sweet likers. On the whole, tasters had a bad dentition as compared to non tasters.

CONCLUSION

The PROP sensitivity test (filter paper test) proved to be a useful diagnostic tool in determining the genetic sensitivity levels of bitter taste. The knowledge of a child's taste perception can help us in identifying the children who are at higher risk for ECC.

[Development of a tool to analyze the menus provided in early childhood daycare centres]

A review of the literature reveals that there are currently no tools available to analyze the quality of the menus provided in daycare centres. An analysis grid has been developed for this purpose, specifically targeting the food served to preschool children aged 18 months and over. The tool was produced on the basis of findings from recent scientific research. The final version of the grid features 25 statements that cover types of menus, the food groups and recommendations of Canada's Food Guide, sources of protein, the supply of beverages,processed foods, cariogenic products, nutritional variety,allergens and sensory properties of foods. The data gathered using this grid will help establish recommendations for daycare administrators and kitchen managers with respect to various considerations that are key to promoting healthy eating habits in early childhood. The limitations to its use stem from the need to complement these recommendations by conducting an analysis of the recipes and ingredients used, the beverages served and the portion sizes offered.

Trends in paediatric dental caries by poverty status in the United States, 1988-1994 and 1999-2004

BACKGROUND

Recent reports have suggested that dental caries among some young children is increasing in the United States.

AIM

To describe changes in paediatric caries prevalence by poverty status in the United States.

DESIGN

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data for children aged 2-11 years for 1988-1994 and 1999-2004 were used.

RESULTS

Caries in the primary dentition increased among poor and non-poor boys aged 2-8 years (45-53% and 23-31%, respectively) and among non-poor boys aged 2-5 years (13-21%) from 1988-1994 to 1999-2004. Caries experience also increased on buccal-lingual, mesio-distal, and occlusal primary dental surfaces among poor children aged 2-8 years and this increase may be attributed to an increase in the number of dental surfaces restored. In the mixed dentition, caries remains relatively unchanged. Caries continues to decline in the permanent dentition for many children, but is increasing among poor non-Hispanic whites aged 6-8 years (8-22%) and poor Mexican-Americans aged 9-11 years (38-55%).

CONCLUSIONS

For many older children, caries continues to decline or remain unchanged. Nevertheless, for a subgroup of younger children, caries is increasing and this increase is impacting some traditionally low-risk groups of children.

Pediatrician's role in screening and treatment: bullying, prediabetes, oral health

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review recent literature on important topics in pediatric office practice: bullying, screening for the prediabetic state, and pediatric oral health.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent literature shows that bullying behaviors are common in children as young as kindergarten age, that there is a strong association between being a bully or victim and a range of psychosomatic and depressive symptoms in children, and that interventions including family therapy and school-based programs are effective for bullies and victims. Recent studies have further delineated glucose and insulin metabolism. Recent work has provided new models to help practitioners screen for the prediabetic state in hope of providing earlier opportunities to intervene and avoid the morbidities associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Recent literature emphasizes continued gaps in dental healthcare for patients who are most at risk. Recent studies emphasize the important role that diet and sealants have in preventing dental caries.

SUMMARY

Recent literature emphasizes the important role that office-based pediatricians have in identifying patients who are involved in bullying, at risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, or have poor dental health. Future research will help delineate these problems and provide us with refined primary prevention and treatment guidelines.