The reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in GCF may be proof of principle for the probiotic approach combating inflammation in the oral cavity.

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of topical fluoride varnish applications on white spot lesion (WSL) formation in adolescents during treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. The study design was a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial with two parallel arms. The subjects were 273 consecutive 12- to 15-year-old children referred for maxillary treatment with fixed orthodontic appliances. The patients were randomly assigned to a test or a control group with topical applications of either a fluoride varnish (Fluor Protector) or a placebo varnish every 6th week during the treatment period. The outcome measures at debonding were incidence and progression of WSL on the upper incisors, cuspids and premolars as scored from digital photographs by 2 independent examiners. The attrition rate was 5%. The mean number of varnish applications was 10 (range 4–20) in both groups. The incidence of WSL during the treatment with fixed appliances was 7.4% in the fluoride varnish compared to 25.3% placebo group (p < 0.001). The mean progression score was significantly lower in the fluoride varnish group than in the placebo group, 0.8 ± 2.0 vs. 2.6 ± 2.8 (p < 0.001). The absolute risk reduction was 18% and the number needed to treat was calculated to 5.5. The results from the present study strongly suggest that regular topical fluoride varnish applications during treatment with fixed appliances may reduce the development of WSL adjacent to the bracket base. Application of fluoride varnish should be advocated as a routine measure in orthodontic practice.

Swedish children with complex congenital heart disease have poorer dental health than healthy age and gender matched controls in spite of intensive preventive efforts. In many cases, intervention had been given when caries were present. A closer cooperation between paediatric cardiology and paediatric dentistry is needed.

Oligodontia is defined as the congenital lack of six or more permanent teeth, excluding third molars. Oligodontia as well as hypodontia (lack of one or more permanent teeth) are highly heritable conditions associated with mutations in the AXIN2, MSX1, PAX9, EDA, and EDAR genes. Here we define the prevalence of mutations in the AXIN2, MSX1, PAX9, EDA, and EDAR genes, and the novel candidate gene EDARADD in a cohort of 93 Swedish probands with non-syndromic, isolated oligodontia. Mutation screening was performed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and DNA sequence analysis. Analyses of the coding sequences of the six genes showed sequence alterations predicted to be damaging or potentially damaging in ten of 93 probands (10.8%). Mutations were identified in the EDARADD (n = 1), AXIN2 (n = 3), MSX1 (n = 2), and PAX9 (n = 4) genes, respectively. None of the 10 probands with mutations had other self-reported symptoms from ectodermal tissues. The oral parameters were similar when comparing individuals with and without mutations but a family history of oligodontia was three times more frequent for probands with mutations. EDARADD mutations have previously been reported in a few families segregating hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and this is, to our knowledge, the first report of an EDARADD mutation associated with isolated oligodontia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of milk supplemented with probiotic bacteria and fluoride on caries development and general health in preschool children. Children 1–5 years of age (n = 248) attending 14 day care centres with 27 units in northern Sweden entered the study. The centres were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: children in the intervention group were served 150 ml milk supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus LB21 (10⁷ CFU/ml) and 2.5 mg fluoride per litre for lunch while the control group received standard milk. The double-blind intervention lasted for 21 months (weekdays) and data were collected through clinical examinations and questionnaires. The primary outcome was caries increment and secondary outcomes were measures of general health. The dropout rate was 25%. The mean baseline caries experience was 0.5 dmfs in the intervention units and 0.6 in the control units and after 21 months 0.9 and 2.2 (p < 0.05). The number of days with sick leave was similar in both groups but the children of the intervention units displayed 60% fewer days with antibiotic therapy (mean 1.9 vs. 4.7 days) and 50% less days with otitis media (0.5 vs. 1.0) (p > 0.05). In children who had participated during the whole 21-month intervention, fewer days with otitis media were reported (0.4 vs. 1.3 days, p < 0.05). No serious side effects were reported. It is concluded that daily consumption of milk containing probiotic bacteria and fluoride reduced caries in preschool children with a prevented fraction of 75%. Additional beneficial health effects were evident.

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BackgroundProbiotic bacteria are suggested to play a role in the maintenance of oral health. Such health promoting bacteria are added to different commercial probiotic products. The aim of the study was to investigate the ability of a selection of lactobacilli strains, used in commercially available probiotic products, to inhibit growth of oral mutans streptococci and C. albicans in vitro.MethodsEight probiotic lactobacilli strains were tested for growth inhibition on three reference strains and two clinical isolates of mutans streptococci as well as two reference strains and three clinical isolates of Candida albicans with an agar overlay method.ResultsAt concentrations ranging from 109 to 105 CFU/ml, all lactobacilli strains inhibited the growth of the mutans streptococci completely with the exception of L. acidophilus La5 that executed only a slight inhibition of some strains at concentrations corresponding to 107 and 105 CFU/ml. At the lowest cell concentration (103 CFU/ml), only L. plantarum 299v and L. plantarum 931 displayed a total growth inhibition while a slight inhibition was seen for all five mutans streptococci strains by L. rhamnosus LB21, L. paracasei F19, L. reuteri PTA 5289 and L. reuteri ATCC 55730. All the tested lactobacilli strains reduced candida growth but the effect was generally weaker than for mutans streptococci. The two L. plantarum strains and L. reuteri ATCC 55730 displayed the strongest inhibition on Candida albicans. No significant differences were observed between the reference strains and the clinical isolates.ConclusionThe selected probiotic strains showed a significant but somewhat varying ability to inhibit growth of oral mutans streptococci and Candida albicans in vitro.

The metabolic capacity to form acid from dietary sugars differed significantly between the various probiotic strains.