With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Infant ; Consensus ; Mouth Diseases/therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/therapy* ; Oral Health ; Infant, Newborn ; Delphi Technique ; Oral Hygiene

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors that progress owing to varied enviromental and genetic risk factors. Viral infections are threatening and adept at altering the expression of cellular transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and deregulation of other cellular proteins like NF kappa B inhibitor alpha (IκBα). The present study was conducted to detect high-risk genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) and protein expression of NF-κB signaling pathway in HNC patients with HPV infection. METHODS: For HPV detection, genomic DNA from 152 HNC tumors was extracted formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue DNA kit. For genotyping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a general primer, HPV type-specific primers and agarose gel electrophoresis were performed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was also performed on 4-μm thick tissue sections using HPV E6 monoclonal antibody. Protein expression analysis of NF-κB signaling pathway including p50, p65, and IκBα was performed using IHC. RESULTS: PCR analysis showed that 24.3% (37/152) of HNC cases were HPV positive. Among HPV positive, 86.5% (32/37) were tobacco users, while among HPV negative, 66.9% (77/115) were tobacco users. A significant association of HPV positivity and tobacco user was observed by univariate analysis [ P   <  0.01; odds ratio (OR): 0.310, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.110 to 0.870]. More HPV positive patients were with poor oral hygiene (78.3%) when compared with patients with good oral hygiene (21.6%) [ P  < 0.03, OR: 2.440, 95% CI: 1.650 to 3.600]. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that age, tobacco use and oral hygiene are significant predictors ( P  < 0.02). PCR and IHC staining results confirmed that HPV16 was predominant among HNC cases (64.8%) when compared with HPV18 (35.2%). Expression of NF-κB proteins (p50, p65, and IκBα inhibitor) were also observed in HPV and non-HPV infected HNC tissues. IHC expression of p50, and p65 showed nuclear staining, while IκBα inhibitor showed cytoplasmic staining. Protein expression in HPV cases was higher as compared to HPV naive cases ( P  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS From the study, it can be established that the use of tobacco, oral hygiene, and HPV infection may be synergistically involved in modulating the expression of NF-κB signaling pathway for the development and progression of HNC in the Pakistani population.
Alphapapillomavirus ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; DNA ; DNA, Viral/genetics* ; Formaldehyde ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/genetics* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Oral Hygiene ; Pakistan ; Papillomaviridae/metabolism* ; Papillomavirus Infections/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Use ; Transcription Factors/metabolism*

ABSTRACT Oral health professionals frequently provide oral hygiene instruction (OHI) during dental visits, yet the evidence for its effectiveness is inconclusive. The main objective of this study was to examine the evidence on the effectiveness of various oral hygiene teaching approaches on periodontal health in adults. The study searched the PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus databases for reports published between January 2000 and June 2020 in the English language. The quality of the selected papers was evaluated using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines by two authors. Overall, five reports met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The heterogeneity of outcome measurements across studies did not allow for direct comparison. Verbal and brochures were among the methods used in the studies. OHI was found to have short-term (up to 13 weeks) effects on dental plaque levels and/or gingiva bleeding. No significant differences were noted among the different oral hygiene methods affecting periodontal health. There is evidence that OHI is effective in reducing plaque and gingival bleeding scores in adult individuals, but it is still unclear if the effect continues beyond 13 weeks. No single method can be highlighted as the best medium of instruction.
Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; Adult

Background and Objective: A normal variant of the oral cavity in humans, especially when aging, indicates how the body adapts to the environment, a lifestyle, and irritation. This study aimed to examine the distribution of normal variants among elderly patients who visited Airlangga University Dental Hospital. Method: This was a descriptive observational design study. Examination of oral soft tissue was performed on elderly dental patients who came to the hospital from January to December 2019. Results: Sixty-eight (68) elderly patients, 60 years of age and over, 35 males and 33 females. The study identified 138 normal oral variations of soft tissues and oral structures. The three highest distributions obtained were coated tongue, lingual varicosities, and fissured tongue. Conclusion The normal variants of oral mucosa and oral structure in the elderly resulted from how the body adapted to the environment and the awareness of the systemic disease that might occur.
Oral Hygiene

OBJECTIVES: To investigate caries status and its impact factors in preschool children in plateau and to provide reference for caries prevention in highlands. METHODS: Examination of caries was performed on 1 597 children aged 3-5 years old in 11 kindergartens in Changdu, Xizang, in accordance with the 4th National Oral Health Survey standards and methods. Their parents were surveyed with the questionnaire regarding oral hygiene habit and consciousness about oral health and related factors. All the data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries among children aged 3-5 years old in Changdu was 52.85%, with dmft index of 2.44. The caries rate and dmft of children aged 3 years old were lower than those of children aged 4 and 5 years old ( CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of ca-ries in children aged 3-5 years old in Changdu increases with aging. Good oral hygiene and eating habits and regular oral examination can reduce the rate of caries.
Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; DMF Index ; Dental Caries/prevention & control* ; Dental Caries Susceptibility ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Prevalence

Objective To investigate the oral health status and awareness of urban children in Lhasa,aiming to provide a data basis for the prevention and treatment of children's caries and the promotion of oral health education. Methods A total of 504 Tibetan students were selected by cluster sampling from 2 primary schools in Chengguan District of Lhasa.All the participants were required to take oral health examination and complete a questionnaire about oral health awareness and behavior. Results The caries prevalence rate and mean decayed-missing-filled tooth(DMFT)of permanent teeth were 75.00% and 2.18±1.91,respectively.The rates of pit and fissure sealant and filling of permanent teeth were 3.77% and 6.81%,respectively.The caries prevalence rate of first permanent molars was 47.62%.The mean DMFT of permanent teeth and caries prevalence rate of first permanent molar were significantly higher in female group(
Child ; DMF Index ; Dental Caries/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Prevalence ; Schools ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires

ABSTRACT Good denture hygiene is crucial for the prevention of various periodontal diseases, dental caries and dental stomatitis, which can give rise to a negative impact on the general health of denture users. A comparison exercise was conducted, to determine the effectiveness of information on denture care, provided by different groups of dental personnel. A self-administered and structured questionnaire was distributed to patients who attended Hospital USM’s dental clinics, from 2014 to 2019 based on the attendance register of the clinic. The denture hygiene status of 100 participants was assessed during the interview session. The results derived through the questionnaire revealed that 100% of the respondents, who received both verbal and written instructions, practiced good dental hygiene. It was observed that the most effective instructions received by the respondents were delivered by the dental specialists. Respondents, who clean their dentures with denture cleaning tablets, soap, or denture cleaning paste, were observed to possess better denture hygiene than those who do not. Also, respondents who visit their dentists once every six months for routine dental examinations boasted a higher percentage of good denture hygiene (81.8%). A positive association was perceived, between knowledge and the status of denture hygiene.
Oral Hygiene--psychology

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of MnO₂-diatom microbubbler (DM) on the surface of prosthetic materials as a mouthwash by comparing the biofilm removal effect with those previously used as a mouthwash in dental clinic.MATERIALS AND METHODS: DM was fabricated by doping manganese dioxide nanosheets to the diatom cylinder surface. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the morphology of DM and to analyze the composition of doped MnO₂. Stereomicroscope was used to observe the reaction of DM in 3% hydrogen peroxide. Non-precious metal alloys, zirconia and resin specimens were prepared to evaluate the effect of biofilm removal on the surface of prosthetic materials. And then Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilms were formed on the specimens. When 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and DM were treated on the biofilms, the decontamination effect was compared with chlorhexidine gluconate and 3% hydrogen peroxide solution by crystal violet staining.RESULTS: Manganese dioxide was found on the surface of the diatom cylinder, and it was found to produce bubble of oxygen gas when added to 3% hydrogen peroxide. For all materials used in the experiments, biofilms of the DM-treated groups got effectively removed compared to the groups used with chlorhexidine gluconate or 3% hydrogen peroxide alone.CONCLUSION: MnO₂-diatom microbubbler can remove bacterial membranes on the surface of prosthetic materials more effectively than conventional mouthwashes.
Alloys ; Biofilms ; Chlorhexidine ; Decontamination ; Dental Clinics ; Dental Plaque ; Diatoms ; Gentian Violet ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; In Vitro Techniques ; Manganese ; Membranes ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Mouthwashes ; Oral Hygiene ; Oxygen ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Streptococcus mutans

hygiene students groups who used the 3D application and the plastic model respectively. The interest in anatomical structure of the 3D App group was 4.20, which was significantly higher than that of the plastic model group 3.60, and the usefulness of the content of anatomy education was 4.31 in the 3D App group, significantly higher than the plastic model group (P<0.05). It was found that the interest in anatomical structure of students increased by 0.347 when using 3D applications compared to the case without the use (P=0.012) and understanding in anatomical structure and class concentration increased by 0.191, respectively, but these results were marginally significant. We expect that this study serves as a reference for the development and supplementation of anatomy teaching and learning method.]]>
Curriculum ; Education ; Humans ; Learning ; Lectures ; Methods ; Oral Hygiene ; Plastics

BACKGROUND: Oral mucositis during radiotherapy which is harmful to the patients with head and neck is suggested to be related to the oral hygiene and health. Therefore, we evaluated the oral health status in relation to the occurrence of mucositis among patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy. METHODS: Tooth plaque index (PI), periodontal depth, and oral mucositis in 50 patients with head and neck cancer were examined by a dentist for 8 weeks after radiotherapy initiation. Cancer type and site were recorded based on the patients’ medical records. In addition, we assessed oral health-related quality of life. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 56.3 ± 11.6 years, with patients aged > 60 years comprising the largest proportion of the mucositis group. The median (range) of the PI index were 0 (0–3) and 1 (0–3) among participants with mucositis and those without, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.761). The median (range) of the total Oral Health Impact Profile score were 54 (42–58) and 41 (14–70) among participants without mucositis and those with mucositis, respectively (P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that patients who developed mucositis during radiotherapy had lower oral health-related quality of life than those who did not. However, there was no difference in oral health status according to mucositis.
Dentists ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Head ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mucositis ; Neck ; Oral Health ; Oral Hygiene ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; Stomatitis ; Tooth