No abstract

Background Evidence on the possible influence of social and psychosocial factors on gingival status in socially disadvantaged children is scarce. The aim of this study is to assess the relationships among socioeconomic status, pattern of dental visits, self‐esteem, oral health beliefs, toothbrushing frequency, oral hygiene effectiveness, and gingivitis in low social status adolescents. Methods A cross‐sectional study was performed involving 406 12‐year‐old students recruited in Manaus, Brazil. Socioeconomic status (family income, parent's schooling, number of goods, and household crowding), self‐esteem, oral health beliefs, and frequency of toothbrushing were collected through self‐completed questionnaires. Gingival status (bleeding on probing) and oral hygiene effectiveness (dental calculus) were evaluated by calibrated dentists through oral examinations. Structural equation modeling assessed the direct and indirect relationships between variables guided by a theoretical model. Results The prevalence of gingivitis was 77.6%. Worse socioeconomic status and poor oral hygiene effectiveness directly predicted gingival bleeding. Socioeconomic status was also linked to toothbrushing frequency. Positive oral health beliefs and higher self‐esteem predicted higher frequency of toothbrushing. The latter was directly linked to greater oral hygiene effectiveness. Oral health beliefs and self‐esteem indirectly predicted gingival bleeding via toothbrushing frequency and oral hygiene effectiveness. Conclusion The present findings suggest the importance of socioeconomic status and psychosocial factors on gingival status in underprivileged adolescents. Poor oral hygiene mediated the associations between psychosocial factors and gingival status.

No abstract

Aim: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and periodontitis have considerable worldwide prevalence once they both present systemic alterations with a possible association between them. Therefore, we have performed this meta-analysis to assess the possible association between H. pylori infection and periodontitis. Material and Methods: A systematic search in the literature was performed for studies published before December 2, 2019 in diverse scientific and educational databases. The data was extracted by two investigators and the statistical analysis was performed by Review Manager statistical program with heterogeneity and Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% of Confidence Intervals (CI) calculations as well as a sensitive analysis to assess the accuracy of the results. The value of P<0.05 was considered as significant. In addition, we performed the analysis of the quality of included studies as well as the evaluation for risk of bias. Results: In overall analysis, H. pylori infection was associated with the risk of periodontitis development (OR = 1.72, CI: 1.47, 2.02, P<0.00001) and the periodontitis was considered as a risk factor for H. pylori infection (OR = 3.21, CI: 2.31, 4.47, P<0.00001). Moreover, the evaluation of dental plaque from patients with periodontitis reveled increased risk of H. pylori infection (OR = 3.46, CI: 2.39, 5.01, P<0.00001). Conclusions: This current systematic review and meta-analysis composed by 12 studies in 7,059 participants showed that H. pylori infection increased significantly the risk of the development of periodontitis and the periodontitis may be a risk for this bacterial infection.

Background Chronic periodontitis (CP) is an immune-inflammatory disease that promotes tissue damage around the teeth. Among the several inflammatory mediators that orchestrate the periodontitis, there is the interleukin (IL)-2. Genetic variations in IL2 gene may be associated with the risk and severity of the disease. Contrary results are available in the literature with inconclusive findings and none meta-analysis to gather these data. Methods A literature search was performed for studies published before June 11, 2019 in diverse scientific and educational databases. The data was extracted by two investigators and the statistical evaluation was performed by Review Manager statistical program with heterogeneity (I2) and Odds Ratio (OR) with 95% of Confidence Intervals (CI) calculations and a sensitive analysis to assess the accuracy of the obtained results. The publication bias was evaluated by Begg’ and Egger’s test with Comprehensive meta-analysis software. The value of P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results Five studies were identified in diverse ethnical groups with 1425 participants. The − 330 T/G polymorphism in IL2 gene was not significantly associated with CP in allelic evaluation (P > 0.05) as well as in the genotypic comparisons (P = 0.15). The Begg’s test and the linear regression Egger’s test did not show any evidence of publication bias risk (P > 0.05) which was corroborated by the absence of obvious asymmetry in Funnel plot graphic. Conclusions This meta-analysis showed a non-significant association between − 330 T/G polymorphism in IL2 gene and CP in any allelic evaluation.