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

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

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate awareness of oral health care and health status among elderly people in nursing homes in Taiyuan. Strategies for preventing and treating oral diseases and improving the quality of life of the elderly in nursing homes were formulated on the basis of analyzed data. METHODS: A total of 359 participants from 48 nursing homes in six districts were selected randomly. Awareness, attitude, and behavior with regard to oral health care among the elderly were investigated through a survey using questionnaires and oral health examinations. Data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: Among the elderly in the nursing homes in Taiyuan, awareness and behavior with regard to oral health care were deficient and inappropriate, and thus professional guidance was needed. In addition to method and time of brushing teeth and bad oral habits, the oral health status of the elderly was statistically affected by age and education. Compared with the data of the Fourth National Oral Epidemiological Investigation, the number of elderly people aged 55-64 or 65-74 years who brush their teeth every day and accept oral diagnosis and treatment was lower. However, the ratios of edentulous and missing teeth without treatment were higher than the national average level for the same age groups. CONCLUSIONS The awareness and attitude of the elderly in nursing homes with regard to oral health care are unsatisfactory, and their oral health status is poor. Education on oral health care, development of good oral care habits, and regular oral health examination are essential to the maintenance of oral health in elderly people.
Aged ; Health Status ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mouth, Edentulous ; Nursing Homes ; Oral Health ; Quality of Life ; Toothbrushing

OBJECTIVES: To compare the treatment effects of periodontal endoscope-assisted and traditional subgingival scaling on residual pockets. METHODS: A total of 13 patients with periodontitis from Dept. of Periodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University were recruited. After 4-6 weeks of initial treatment, the residual pockets with a probing depth (PD) of ≥4 mm and attachment loss (AL) of ≥4 mm and bleeding on probing were examined with traditional (control group) and periodontal endoscope-assisted subgingival scaling (endoscopy group) in a randomly controlled split-mouth design. At baseline and 6 weeks and 3 months after treatment, plaque index (PLI), PD, AL, and bleeding index (BI) were measured. Differences in these clinical parameters within and between groups and patient-reported outcomes were compared. RESULTS: A total of the 694 sites of 251 teeth were included in this trial. Both groups showed significant improvement in each periodontal parameters 6 weeks and 3 months after treatment ( CONCLUSIONS Periodontal endoscope-assisted subgingival scaling resulted in better effects than traditional subgingival scaling when the residual pockets were in a single-rooted tooth, with a PD of ≥5 mm but without vertical alveolar bone resorption and furcation involvement.
Dental Plaque Index ; Dental Scaling ; Endoscopes ; Humans ; Periodontitis/therapy*

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

Caries of children under 3 years old has such characteristics as early onset, multiple tooth involvement and rapid development. It may affect the mastication and digestive functions of the children, as well as oral and systemic development, and may become a risk factor for systemic diseases. In order to standardize the prevention and treatment of the caries of the infants and toddlers, to fully utilize the existing medical resources to prevent caries, to reduce the incidence rate and to increase the treatment rate, and to improve the oral health statuses of the infants and toddlers in China, the Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the Society of Preventive Dentistry of the Chinese Stomatological Association convened experts of pediatric dentistry and preventive dentistry from 19 universities and hospitals to conduct profound discussions on this topic, and finally developed the present guideline on diagnosis, prevention, clinical practice and effect evaluation for caries of children under 3 years old suitable to China's conditions.
Child, Preschool ; China ; Dental Caries/prevention & control* ; Dental Caries Susceptibility ; Humans ; Infant ; Pediatric Dentistry ; Preventive Dentistry

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

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the fluoride and pH levels of beverages likely to be consumed by children in Malaysia and to estimate daily fluoride intake from consumption of these beverages. A convenience sampling of 120 ready-to-drink beverages were purchased and categorised into 11 groups (UHT recombined milk, fresh milk [pasteurised], cultured milk [probiotic], yogurt beverages, fresh fruit juices, fruit flavoured beverages, soy-based beverages, malt-based beverages, tea, carbonated beverages and bottled waters). Fluoride concentration was measured using a fluoride ion-selective electrode while the pH level was measured using a pH meter. The fluoride concentration in the beverages ranged from 0.02±0.00 mg/L to 2.77±0.06 mg/L. Tea was found to have the highest fluoride concentration. The intake of fluoride from consumption of other types of beverages is below the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (except tea). The pH of the beverages included in the study ranged from 2.20±0.01 to 7.76±0.00. Carbonated beverages (mean pH: 2.98±0.50) were found to be extremely acidic followed by fresh fruit juices (mean pH: 3.38±0.34) and fruit flavoured beverages (mean pH: 3.90±0.92). The correlation between fluoride and pH levels was weak, τ = 0.058 and not statistically significant (p < 0.35). The majority of the beverages had a low fluoride level and their consumption is unlikely to cause fluorosis except for tea. Almost half of the beverages had a low pH level with carbonated beverages being the most acidic.
Fluoridation ; Carbonated Beverages ; Dental Care for Children ; Acid-Base Imbalance

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