PurposeDiabetes and periodontal disease are two common diseases with high prevalence rates. Recent evidence has shown a bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.MethodsSixty subjects aged 35-45 years with blood sugar controlled by oral hypoglycaemic agents were randomly divided equally among 3 groups: group A (scaling, mouthwash, and brushing), group B (mouthwash and brushing), and group C (brushing only). Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and the relevant drug history were recorded at baseline and after 3 months of intervention. Comparison of the mean difference among the variables was performed by parametric and nonparametric tests, which were further evaluated using multiple regression analysis.ResultsThe mean differences between the PPD, FBS, HbA1c, GI, and PI in groups A and B were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis in group A showed that out of all the independent variables, GI and frequency of drug administration independently (b=0.3761 and b=0.598) showed a significantly greater impact on HbA1c (R2=0.832, P<0.05).ConclusionsNonsurgical periodontal therapy can effectively decrease HbA1c levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients on medication.

BackgroundTraumatic dental injuries to anterior teeth are a significant public health problem, not only because their prevalence is relatively high, but also because they have considerable impact on children’s daily lives. Traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) cause physical and psychological discomfort, pain and other negative impacts, such as tendency to avoid laughing or smiling, which can affect social relationships.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to anterior teeth among 12-year-old school children in Kashmir, India.Patients and MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in private and government schools of India among 1600 schoolchildren aged 12 years. In addition to recording of the type of trauma (using Ellis and Davey classification of fractures, 1970), over jet, Angle’s molar relation and lip competence were also recorded. The socioeconomic status and academic performance of the study subjects were registered. The data obtained were compiled systematically and then statistically analyzed. The statistical significance for the association between the traumatic injury and the variables was analyzed using the chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to identify potential risk predictors of TDIs.ResultsThe overall prevalence of TDI to anterior teeth was found to be 9.3%. The TDI to anterior teeth in male was more than female, but the difference was statistically nonsignificant (P < 0.01). Falls and sports were the most common causes of trauma in the present study. The highest potential risk factor for the occurrence of trauma was over jet. Academic performance was found to be significantly associated to TDI to anterior teeth, when analyzed in a multiple regression model.ConclusionsIt was concluded that the prevalence of traumatic dental injuries was 9.3%. Traumatic dental injuries among children exhibit complex interaction between the victims’ oral conditions and their behavior. Therefore, prevention should consider a number of characteristics such as oral predisposing factors, environmental determinants and human behavior. It is recommended that specific and proper public places for leisure and sports activities, with impact-absorbing surfaces around the items on which children are most likely to fall, should be provided.

Cheese and yogurt without any added sugar (sucrose) are non-cariogenic and to some extent cariostatic as they increase calcium and phosphorus concentration in dental plaque. Dairy products without added sugar can be recommended as after meal desserts, especially to school children, which would help to reduce the incidence of dental caries.

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BACKGROUND: Toothbrushes are over-the-counter products; therefore, no special instruction is given to users when they purchase. There are scarce published studies that have investigated about how often toothbrushes should be replaced. Thus, this study aimed to verify the impact of the Progressive Toothbrush Bristle Flaring on plaque control efficacy of toothbrush. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty six subjects were randomly selected and underwent complete oral prophylaxis 10 days prior to the Baseline plaque recording. All subjects were provided with new similar toothbrushes and were divided into two groups. New Brush Group changed toothbrush every month and Old month Group used single toothbrush for the whole period of the study. Both groups were assessed for plaque accumulation every month using Turesky et al, (1970) modification of the Quigley and Hein (1962) plaque index. Toothbrush head was photographed and assessed by measuring the brushing surface area on standardized photographs using National Institutes of Health Image Analysis Program (USA). RESULTS: Both groups showed similar plaque scores at the 40 th day; progressive increase in the plaque scores in group without changing the toothbrush were recorded at the 70 th and 100 th days. As toothbrush flaring increased, the plaque scores also increased in the Old Brush Group. Highest plaque accumulation was recorded in Mandibular Lingual aspects in Old Brush Group. CONCLUSION: Progressive increase was seen in the plaque scores with increase in toothbrush bristle flaring.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and β-glucuronidase as salivary biomarkers of periodontitis among smokers and non-smokers. Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India, between January and June 2017. A total of 200 participants were divided into four groups based on their periodontal and smoking statuses. Unstimulated mixed saliva samples were collected to estimate LDH and β-glucuronidase levels. In addition, total protein was estimated using Lowry’s method. Results: There was a significant increase in enzyme activity in the periodontitis groups compared to the non-periodontitis groups (P <0.001). However, significantly lower enzyme activity was observed among smokers, irrespective of periodontal status (P <0.001). Nevertheless, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the diagnostic potential of both enzymes to be fair-to-excellent. Conclusion: Although smoking was found to significantly alter enzyme activity, LDH and β-glucuronidase were reliable salivary biomarkers of periodontitis among both smokers and non-smokers.Keywords: Periodontitis; Biomarkers; Saliva; Lactate Dehydrogenase; beta-Glucuronidase; Smoking; Tobacco Use; India.

Objective: To evaluate the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) on the compressive strength and antibacterial activity of conventional glass-ionomer cement (GIC). Study design: TiO2 nanoparticles enriched GIC was prepared by adding 3% TiO2 nanoparticles (w/w) into the powder component of conventional GIC. CPC containing GIC was developed by incorporating 1% CPC (w/w) into conventional GIC powder. Samples were segregated into three groups: GIC with 3% TiO2 nanoparticles, GIC with 1% CPC and unmodified conventional GIC. Compressive strength was assessed using the universal testing machine on cylindrical specimens made from each material. Antibacterial activity was assessed by measuring inhibition zones on Mitis Salivarius Bacitracin (MSB) agar inoculated with pure strain of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Results: GIC containing TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited significantly greater compressive strength as compared with CPC and conventional GIC groups (P &lt; 0.01). However, there was no significant difference between the compressive strengths of CPC and conventional GIC group (P &gt;0.05). Antibacterial activity was significantly greater for TiO2 group than conventional GIC (P &lt;0.05). CPC increased the antibacterial activity of conventional GIC, though not significantly. Conclusion: The addition of 3% TiO2 nanoparticles improves the compressive strength of GIC as well as its antibacterial activity against S. mutans.

This study was intended to evaluate the fluoride concentration in drinking water and its effect on dental fluorosis in Southwest Saudi Arabia. Water samples were gathered rom wells, filtration plants and commercial brands (bottled water) in distinct urban and rural areas of Asir region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Overall, 63 water samples were collected from 12 locations and 9 brands of bottled water. ExStik® FL700Fluoridemeter was used in the analysis of water samples for fluoride levels. The total number of screened patients for dental fluorosis, aged between 9 and 50 years, was 1150; among them, 609 were males and 541 were females. Dean’s index criteria were used to examine the patients for dental fluorosis. The results revealed that fluoride levels varied between 0.03 and 3.8 ppm. People who drank well water displayed increased fluoride levels (>0.81 ppm). The prevalence of dental fluorosis was established to be 20.43% among the total number of examined patients. The findings of this study show very mild to moderate dental fluorosis prevail among the patients who consume well water in the Asir region.