Effect of chewing an apple on dental plaque removal and on salivary bacterial viability

Oral processing behavior and dental caries; an insight into a new relationship

INTRODUCTION

Previous evidence suggests an individual variation in the preferred oral processing behavior. Individuals can be classified as firm processing(FPL) or soft processing likers(SPL). FPL(crunchers and chewers) prefer using their teeth while SPL(smooshers and suckers) prefer using the tongue and the palate when processing different food items. Variation in the preferred oral processing behavior has been associated with differences in food texture preference and eating time. Time is one of the factors directly related to the development of dental caries(tooth decay). Oral retention and eating times are associated with greater caries experience. This study aims to explore if a relationship exists between the preferred oral processing behavior and the individual's caries experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, dental center-based study conducted at Jordan University of Science and Technology. Five hundred participants consented to fill out the preferred oral processing behavior(POPB) questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (including weight, height, and waist circumference) were recorded. A single trained and calibrated dentist registered each participant's caries experience and plaque levels using the DMFS index and plaque index of Silness and Loe.

RESULTS

A total of 351(70.2%) and 149(29.8%) participants were typed as FPL and SPL, respectively. SPL demonstrated higher levels of dental caries experience compared to FPL. The mean DMFS score for SPL was 28.8(±25.43) while for FPL was 18.71(± 18.34). This difference remained significant after adjustment for confounders(P<0.001). SPL exhibited a significantly higher mean score for the "M" component(P <0.001) while no significant difference in the mean score of the "D"(P = 0.076) and "F"(P = 0.272) components was observed when compared to FPL.

CONCLUSION

The current findings provide new insight into a possible relationship between the preferred oral processing behavior and an individual's caries experience. A relationship in which the preferred oral processing behavior can potentially affect and/or be affected by the dental caries experience.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with erythrosine and blue light on dental biofilm bacteria: study protocol for randomised clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

The objective is to investigate the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) mediated by erythrosine and a blue light-emitting diode (LED) in the reduction of bacteria in dental biofilm.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This clinical trial will be conducted with 30 patients who have biofilm, but without the presence of periodontal pockets, and who are being treated at the Dental Clinic of Universidade Metropolitana de Santos. A split-mouth model will be used (n=30), with group 1 control (conventional treatment) and group 2 (conventional treatment and aPDT). The bicarbonate jet will be used to remove dental biofilm in both groups. The treatment will be carried out in one session. aPDT will be performed before cleaning/prophylaxis, only in group 2. Participants will rinse with the photosensitiser erythrosine (diluted to 1 mM) for 1 min of pre-irradiation time, so that the drug can stain all the bacterial biofilm. Then, the D-2000 LED (DMC) will be applied, emitting at a wavelength of ʎ=470 nm, radiant power of 1000 mW, irradiance of 0.532 W/cm2 and radiant exposure of 63.8 J/cm2. Irradiation will be performed until the biofilm of the cervical region is illuminated for 2 min/point (4 cm2). The microbiological examination will be performed from samples of supragingival biofilm collected from the gingival sulcus. Collection will be performed in each experimental site before irradiation, immediately after the irradiation procedure and after the prophylaxis. Colony-forming units will be counted and the data will be submitted for statistical analysis for comparison of pretreatment and post-treatment results and between groups (conventional X aPDT).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Universidade Metropolitana de Santos under process number 66984123.0.0000.5509. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and will be presented at conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05805761.

Does an apple a day keep away diseases? Evidence and mechanism of action

Apples and their products exemplify the recently reemphasized link between dietary fruit intake and the alleviation of human disease. Their consumption does indeed improve human health due to their high phytochemical content. To identify potentially relevant articles from clinical trials, some epidemiological studies and meta-analyses, and in vitro and in vivo studies (cell cultures and animal models), PubMed was searched from January 1, 2012, to May 15, 2022. This review summarized the potential effects of apple and apple products (juices, puree, pomace, dried apples, extracts rich in apple bioactives and single apple bioactives) on health. Apples and apple products have protective effects against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, as well as mild cognitive impairment and promote hair growth, healing of burn wounds, improve the oral environment, prevent niacin-induced skin flushing, promote the relief of UV-induced skin pigmentation, and improve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis as well as cedar hay fever among others. These effects are associated with various mechanisms, such as vascular endothelial protection, blood lipids lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, anti-invasion, and antimetastatic effects. Meanwhile, it has provided an important reference for the application and development of medicine, nutrition, and other fields.

Dog Owners' Ideas and Strategies Regarding Dental Health in Their Dogs-Thematic Analysis of Free Text Survey Responses

Periodontal disease is the most common disease in dogs over 3 years of age. In dogs, as in humans, daily tooth brushing, as a means of active dental home care, is considered the gold standard for prophylaxis and prevention of periodontal disease progression. However, the performance of adequate tooth brushing is insufficient in dogs. There is no full account as to why dog owners fail to comply with this routine, but in order to facilitate better practice, a further understanding of dog owner's perspectives is needed. The aim of this study was to investigate dog owners' ideas and strategies regarding their dogs' dental health. In a large-scale Swedish survey regarding dental health in dogs, dog owners' free text comments (n = 8,742) from a concluding open-ended query were analyzed using qualitative methods. Many different notions concerning dental health in dogs were identified, of which perceived importance of different diets and chewing being the most prominent. Five common themes represented dog owners' ideas and strategies regarding dental health in their dogs: what is considered to cause dental problems; what is deemed not to promote dental health; how to prevent dental problems; what impedes proper dental care, and; needs for increased knowledge and support. Contrary to existing research and knowledge in the field, the respondents commonly trusted that diet procure good dental health in the dog, as does chewing on bones. Seemingly, a range of misconceptions flourish among dog owners, indicating a need to share information and experiences, as well as support to bridge barriers to tooth brushing and other aspects that can enhance dog owners' knowledge and practice. In addition, this study highlights the need for randomized controlled trials on effects of diets and supplements on different aspects of dental health; calculus, periodontal disease, and dental fractures, including dogs of different breeds, sizes and ages. Further research is also needed with respect to which strategies that best aid dog owners, by whom the support is best provided, when, and at what time point.

Neutrophils Orchestrate the Periodontal Pocket

The subgingival biofilm attached to tooth surfaces triggers and maintains periodontitis. Previously, late-onset periodontitis has been considered a consequence of dysbiosis and a resultant polymicrobial disruption of host homeostasis. However, a multitude of studies did not show "healthy" oral microbiota pattern, but a high diversity depending on culture, diets, regional differences, age, social state etc. These findings relativise the aetiological role of the dysbiosis in periodontitis. Furthermore, many late-onset periodontitis traits cannot be explained by dysbiosis; e.g. age-relatedness, attenuation by anti-ageing therapy, neutrophil hyper-responsiveness, and microbiota shifting by dysregulated immunity, yet point to the crucial role of dysregulated immunity and neutrophils in particular. Furthermore, patients with neutropenia and neutrophil defects inevitably develop early-onset periodontitis. Intra-gingivally injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alone causes an exaggerated neutrophil response sufficient to precipitate experimental periodontitis. Vice versa to the surplus of LPS, the increased neutrophil responsiveness characteristic for late-onset periodontitis can effectuate gingiva damage likewise. The exaggerated neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) response in late-onset periodontitis is blameable for damage of gingival barrier, its penetration by bacteria and pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) as well as stimulation of Th17 cells, resulting in further neutrophil activation. This identifies the dysregulated immunity as the main contributor to periodontal disease.

Resolving the Contradictory Functions of Lysine Decarboxylase and Butyrate in Periodontal and Intestinal Diseases

Periodontal disease is a common, bacterially mediated health problem worldwide. Mastication (chewing) repeatedly traumatizes the gingiva and periodontium, causing traces of inflammatory exudate, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), to appear in crevices between the teeth and gingiva. Inadequate tooth cleaning causes a dentally adherent microbial biofilm composed of commensal salivary bacteria to appear around these crevices where many bacteria grow better on GCF than in saliva. We reported that lysine decarboxylase (Ldc) from Eikenella corrodens depletes the GCF of lysine by converting it to cadaverine and carbon dioxide. Lysine is an amino acid essential for the integrity and continuous renewal of dentally attached epithelium acting as a barrier to microbial products. Unless removed regularly by oral hygiene, bacterial products invade the lysine-deprived dental attachment where they stimulate inflammation that enhances GCF exudation. Cadaverine increases and supports the development of a butyrate-producing microbiome that utilizes the increased GCF substrates to slowly destroy the periodontium (dysbiosis). A long-standing paradox is that acid-induced Ldc and butyrate production support a commensal (probiotic) microbiome in the intestine. Here, we describe how the different physiologies of the respective tissues explain how the different Ldc and butyrate functions impact the progression and control of these two chronic diseases.