Hand motor functions on the presence of red fluorescent dental biofilm in older community-dwelling Koreans

Influence of visual acuity, manual dexterity and handgrip strength on oral and denture hygiene ability of non-frail older people: Development of the Gerostomatological Assessment Battery

BACKGROUND

Due to the heterogeneity of older people, it is difficult to identify reliable factors influencing oral health.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to illustrate the influence of visual acuity, manual dexterity, and handgrip strength on the oral and denture hygiene ability of older non-frail people.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, conducted at a specialized dental clinic, at baseline, all participants received professional prophylaxis and instruction on daily oral and denture hygiene regimes for a 6-week intervention period. Data on the Quigley and Hein modified plaque index (QHI), respectively, the Denture Hygiene Index (DHI), visual acuity, manual dexterity and handgrip strength in non-frail participants (≥ 65 years) were collected. Recruitment was done within the clinic's patient clientele and within the staff (control cohort).

RESULTS

Women showed significantly better manual dexterity than men (Mann-Whitney U, p = .01), while women's mean handgrip strength was significantly lower (Mann-Whitney U, p < .01). Manual dexterity (Mann-Whitney U, p = .003) and handgrip strength (Mann-Whitney U, p = .052) were associated with age. However, visual acuity, manual dexterity and handgrip strength had no influence on oral or denture hygiene.

CONCLUSION

Visual acuity, manual dexterity and handgrip strength have no influence on oral and denture hygiene ability in older non-frail people. Further studies should investigate whether these factors also have no influence on oral and denture hygiene in vulnerable older patients. Therefore, an assessment tool for the evaluation of potential influencing factors of oral and denture hygiene is proposed in a dental context. This Gerostomatological Assessment Battery (G-AB) can be used as a helpful tool to check the individual cognitive function and comprehension, dental therapy approaches and their individual adaption.

Probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum Ln4 Showing Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect against Streptococcus mutans KCTC 5124 Causing Dental Caries

Dental caries has known as an infectious disease that is considered a serious global public health problem. Recently, report indicate that probiotics play a vital role in maintaining oral health. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevention effects of Lactobacillus plantarum Ln4 against dental infection by the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans KCTC 5124 through biofilm formation inhibition. To evaluate such prevention effects against S. mutans KCTC 5124, antimicrobial activity, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, total exopolysaccharide (EPS) production rate, and biofilm formation were analyzed. Results showed that L. plantarum Ln4 showed higher antimicrobial activity than L. rhamnosus GG (LGG). In the group treated with L. plantarum Ln4, the co-aggregation (58.85%), cell surface hydrophobicity (16.75%), and EPS production rate (73.29%) values were lower than those of LGG and the negative control. Additionally, crystal violet staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed that L. plantarum Ln4 effectively inhibited biofilm formation in S. mutans KCTC 5124. Therefore, L. plantarum Ln4 could be used in the industry as a probiotics to prevent and improve oral health.

Association between Dementia Severity and Oral Hygiene Management Issues in Older Adults with Alzheimer's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Oral hygiene management issues vary across types and clinical stages of dementia. We aimed to clarify the issues related to oral hygiene management in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) according to stages defined by the Functional Assessment Staging of Alzheimer's Disease (FAST). In all, 397 records (45 men and 352 women; average age, 86.8 years; age range, 65-106) from older adults with AD were used for the cross-sectional study. We used data from a cohort of older adults (≥65 years old) who required long-term care and lived in the Omorimachi area of Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, Japan. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations of the FAST stage, set as the exposure variable, with oral hygiene management parameters set as outcome variables. Compared to the reference category (combined FAST stage 1-3), FAST stages 6 and 7 had significantly higher odds ratios for refusal of oral health care, dependence in performing oral health care, and rinsing and gargling disability. FAST stages 4 and 7 were associated with dental plaque accumulation. Oral health care for older adults with AD should be planned appropriately according to dementia severity.

Association between Handgrip Strength and Periodontitis in Korean Adults Aged ≥30 Years: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2015)

This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2014-2015 database to analyze the association between periodontitis and handgrip strength, a representative measure of hand impairment and function, in adults aged ≥30 years. The data of 5926 adults (male: 2766, females: 3160) who underwent handgrip strength and periodontal tissue examination and had neither rheumatoid arthritis nor osteoarthritis were analyzed. Handgrip strength was assessed using a digital grip strength dynamometer. The average values of the right handgrip strength, calculated separately by sex and age group (five 10-year age groups), were used as the cut-off for reduced handgrip strength. Periodontal status was evaluated using the Community Periodontal Index, defining scores ≥ 3 as periodontitis. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the differences in the prevalence of periodontitis according to handgrip strength. In the final regression model adjusted for risk factors for periodontitis, the likelihood of periodontitis decreased as the level of handgrip strength increased (p < 0.05). Therefore, this study suggests that handgrip strength may be a valuable indicator of periodontal health.

Relationship between Vitamin D Deficiency and Periodontitis in Korean Adults Aged ≥60 Years: Analysis of Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014)

There have been contradictory reports on the effects of vitamin D in the prevention of periodontitis. We analyzed the association between vitamin D status (levels of plasma 25(OH)D) and periodontitis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013–2014 database. Among the participants in the KNHANES (2013–2014), only those aged ≥60 years who completed a health interview survey, periodontal examination, and blood test were included in the study. Thus, data from 701 participants were used in the final analysis. Periodontal status was evaluated using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and periodontitis was defined as having a CPI score of 3 or 4. Plasma 25(OH)D levels were classified according to two criteria: 20 ng/mL and quartile value. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the prevalence of periodontitis according to plasma 25(OH)D levels. Univariate analyses showed that periodontitis was not significantly associated with plasma 25(OH)D levels. In the multivariate logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, the difference in the prevalence of periodontitis between those with a normal range of 25(OH)D and those with low plasma of 25(OH)D levels was not statistically significant. Vitamin D intake has been reported to have benefits in maintaining periodontal health; however, total plasma 25(OH)D levels showed no significant association with periodontitis based on CPI scores in this study. Additionally, these findings reaffirmed the importance of toothbrushing and smoking cessation to prevent periodontitis in people aged ≥60 years.

Use of optical fluorescence for the diagnosis of dental biofilm in young permanent molars - A case series

BACKGROUND

Fluorescence appears clearly in oral biofilm in red tones, showing the presence of microorganisms in regions where there is biofilm accumulation. This study aims to evaluate the applicability and effectiveness of the diagnosis of oral biofilm with the optical fluorescence technique using the EVINCE (Evidenciador Clínico - MMOptics, São Carlos, SP, Brazil) equipment. Furthermore, to compare the efficacy of the optical fluorescence diagnostic method with the traditional method of clinical disclosure of Fuchsin-based dye biofilm and to observe their combined use.

METHODS

Sixteen children, aged between 7 and 12, were included in this case series, following the Oral Hygiene Index - Simplificated (OHI-S) evaluation. They were evaluated by 3 different professionals. The 1 st evaluator checked the OHI-S observing only with EVINCE. In the second stage, a 2nd evaluator performed the traditional disclosure technique with Fucsina, and finally a 3rd evaluator who observed with EVINCE the teeth previously stained in stage 2, combining the two methods. Descriptive analysis of the variables was performed and comparative tests of repeated measures to evaluate differences between the results of the three evaluation methodologies.

RESULTS

There is no significant difference between the observation made only with EVINCE and with the traditional methodology of plaque disclosure. However, there is a difference when the two techniques are used in the third evaluation moment, showing that the combination could provide better results.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of both the conventional method and the use of EVINCE showed a very satisfactory result for the diagnosis of the presence of biofilm.