BACKGROUND: Poorly managed diabetes mellitus can elevate oral glucose levels, fostering gum disease. Conversely, untreated periodontal disease may worsen diabetes control. This study aims to assess the prevalence of periodontal disease and its association with diabetes characteristics in South Jordan.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 249 type 2 diabetic patients from Prince Hashim Bin Abdullah II Clinic in Aqaba, Jordan. Demographics, clinical history, and periodontal indices were recorded, with glycemic control measured via HbA1c. Statistical analyses utilized SPSS.
RESULTS: Predominantly female (58%) and married (90%) participants had a mean age of 49.0 years, with uncontrolled diabetes prevalent in 86% (mean HbA1c: 9.16). Dyslipidemia (73%), hypertension (49%), and diabetic neuropathy (21%) were common. Periodontal indices indicated moderate to high scores, reflecting significant plaque accumulation (plaque index score (PIS) = 3: 20%), severe gingival inflammation (gingival index score (GIS) = 3: 22%), and notable bleeding upon probing (papillary bleeding index score (PBIS) = 3-4: 22%). Moreover, a considerable percentage exhibited advanced periodontal disease (community periodontal index score (CPIS) = 3-4: 19%).
CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of periodontal disease among diabetic patients in South Jordan underscores the need for integrated diabetes and periodontal care strategies. These findings emphasize the interplay between diabetes control and periodontal health, warranting further investigation into effective intervention strategies.

UNASSIGNED: Mentally disabled children have been found to have poor oral hygiene, a greater prevalence of periodontal disease, and higher caries prevalence. Flossing is an important oral hygiene skill adjacent to toothbrushing in plaque removal than brushing alone in children. GumChucks is a novel flossing device designed to assist children with easy and proper flossing techniques. To compare the efficacy of the GumChucks flossing system and string floss (SF) for plaque removal in mentally disabled children.
UNASSIGNED: Participants were randomly assigned to either GumChucks or SF. At baseline, a toothbrushing and flossing demonstration was given to all the participants. Gingival index (GI) and plaque index (PI) were recorded at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks postusage.
UNASSIGNED: Overall, there was a significant reduction in GI and PI after first use with children using GumChucks compared to SF floss. After 1 week and 4 weeks of postusage, children in the GumChucks group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in GI (1.03 ± 0.60), (1.12 ± 0.66), and PI (0.97 ± 0.53), (1.10 ± 0.54) from baseline p ≤ 0.05.
UNASSIGNED: GumChucks was an effective alternative plaque removal, with recommended caretakers\' supervision for mentally disabled children.
UNASSIGNED: Takle TV, Vishwakarma PY, Dodamani AS, et al. Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of the GumChucks Flossing System and String Floss for Plaque Removal in Mentally Disabled Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(3):255-259.

UNASSIGNED: Due to decreased manual dexterity, a lack of motivation, and difficulty on the part of the caregiver conducting efficient oral hygiene measures at home, patients with Down syndrome (DS) are badly affected. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of 0.1% octenidine (OCT) hydrochloride and 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate on plaque control and oxidative stress in institutionalized children with DS.
UNASSIGNED: In 20 children, salivary samples were collected for analysis of the inflammatory marker high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and oxidative stress markers, specifically malondialdehyde (MDA). Plaque index (PlI) and gingival index (GI) were scored. After oral prophylaxis, the participants were randomly assigned to two groups, each consisting of 10 individuals (octenidol and CHX). Salivary oxidative stress marker assays were carried out using a modified version of Yagi\'s (1984) method, and absorbance was measured at 540 nm using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer at 535 nm. hsCRP assays were conducted via latex turbidimetric immunoassay.
UNASSIGNED: On comparison between the two groups, the OCT group showed a statistically significant reduction in GI, PlI, and MDA values (p < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: It was seen that the use of 0.1% OCT hydrochloride could facilitate the maintenance of good oral hygiene and periodontal status, especially in patients with motor difficulties.
UNASSIGNED: PMS/IEC/2016/02.
UNASSIGNED: Raj AS, George S, S A, et al. Comparing the Effectiveness of Octenidine Hydrochloride and Chlorhexidine Gluconate Mouthrinses in Reducing Plaque and Oxidative Stress in Institutionalized Children with Down Syndrome. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(4):437-441.

This study evaluates the efficacy of 3D-printed band and loop space maintainers (3D-BLSMs) to mitigate concerns caused by early primary tooth loss in children when compared to their conventional equivalents. Over 9 months, 62 participants aged 6 to 12 years participated in a randomized clinical study. This study evaluated their failure rates (de-cementation, debonding, solder breakage, loop breakage, band breakage, and abutment tooth fracture), gingival health, and patient overall satisfaction. Random assignments were made to place the participants in two groups: traditional band and loop space maintainers or the 3D-BLSMs. The findings show that at 9 months, 3D-BLSMs provided significantly higher survival rates (77.4%) than conventional maintainers (51.6%, p < 0.01). Gum inflammation was mild in both groups, highlighting the need for good oral hygiene. In both groups, patient satisfaction exceeded 90%. Although there was some pain at first with 3D-BLSMs, this eventually subsided and aesthetic preferences disappeared. There were no negative consequences noted, and both groups needed ongoing dental treatment. In conclusion, with excellent patient satisfaction in both groups, 3D-printed space maintainers offer greater long-term durability in reducing dental concerns following early primary tooth loss.

BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption poses a significant global public health challenge because of its adverse effects on oral health. Although the detrimental impact of SLT on oral tissues is well-documented, understanding its multifaceted effects is essential for effective prevention and intervention strategies.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the impact of SLT on oral health, focusing on various clinical parameters and their differences between placement and non-placement sites of SLT.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 528 habitual users of SLT was conducted. Clinical parameters included the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), gingival recession (GR), and probing depth (PD). Oral mucosal changes at SLT placement sites have also been reported. Statistical analysis was performed to compare parameters between the placement and non-placement sites.
RESULTS:  The study involved 528 subjects, mostly male (82%) and aged 21-40 years (mean±SD=31.14±9.10), habitual users of SLT. Prevalent SLT types included tobacco with betel nuts/masala/gutkha (59.9%) and tobacco with lime (54.5%). Significant differences were observed between SLT placement and non-placement sites: higher gingival inflammation (GI) at placement sites (1.54±0.61 vs. 1.45±0.54, p=0.01), lower GBI at placement sites (40.0% vs. 84.3%, p=0.001), and more prevalent GR (65.7% vs. 34.3%, p=0.03) at placement sites. Probing depths ≥ 3 mm were also less frequent at placement sites (2.67±0.72) than non-placement sites (3.37±1.03, p=0.001). These results highlight the detrimental impact of SLT on periodontal health, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions among SLT users.
CONCLUSIONS: SLT use is associated with adverse effects on oral health, including GI, plaque accumulation, gingival bleeding, GR, and changes in the oral mucosa. Targeted interventions and public health policies are needed to address these issues effectively.

Effective oral care is important for maintaining a high quality of life. Therefore, plaque control can prevent the development and recurrence of periodontitis. Brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste is a common way to remove plaque; however, excessive brushing or brushing with abrasive toothpaste can cause wear and tear on the dental crown. Hence, we aimed to quantitatively compare the plaque-removal efficiency and tooth wear of toothbrushes using the bioelectric effect (BE) with those of electric-mechanical toothbrushes. To generate the BE signal, an electronic circuit was developed and embedded in a toothbrush. Further, typodonts were coated with cultured artificial plaques and placed in a brushing simulator. A toothpaste slurry was applied, and the typodonts were eluted with tap water after brushing. The plaques of the typodonts were captured, and the images were quantified. For the tooth wear experiment, polymethyl methacrylate disk resin blocks were brushed twice a day, and the thickness of the samples was measured. Subsequently, statistical differences between the experimental toothbrushes and typical toothbrushes were analyzed. The BE toothbrush had a higher plaque-removal efficiency and could minimize tooth wear. This study suggests that the application of BE may be a new solution for oral care.

UNASSIGNED: The link between oral infections and systemic disease is a well-proven hypothesis in the current literature. This relationship is the result of interaction between periodontal microbe that triggers inflammatory processes leading to the secretion of cytokines and other mediators of inflammation resulting in the systemic effects of pathogenesis.
UNASSIGNED: In this study, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), probing pocket depth, plaque index, gingival index, and the parameters were assessed initially and 1 month after scaling and root planing (SRP).
UNASSIGNED: The paired t-test and the Pearson correlation were needed to examine and compare measured data.
UNASSIGNED: The data from the study reveal that all the clinical parameters like the plaque index, the gingival index, and the probing pocket depth were statistically significantly reduced after 1 month of SRP with respect to baseline. While ESR mean value was also reduced, that is, 3.27 ± 1.24 mm/hr which was also considered statistically significant.
UNASSIGNED: The findings from the study showed a positive correlation between periodontal inflammation and ESR.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of chronic gingivitis, a widespread inflammatory condition of the gums, is considerable across the demographic spectrum, with potential progression to advanced periodontal pathology in the absence of intervention. The objective of this investigation was to conduct a comparative analysis of the clinical effectiveness of various oral rinses in mitigating the symptoms of chronic gingivitis.
METHODS: This empirical study was conducted within the confines of the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. A cohort of 60 individuals diagnosed with chronic gingivitis, ranging from 18 to 45 years of age and inclusive of all sexes, was systematically selected for participation.
RESULTS: Quantitative analysis yielded data indicating that the mean score on the gingival index was minimally recorded for participants utilizing herbal mouthwash (HO), in contrast to those administered with normal saline (NS), which displayed the highest mean score. A corresponding trend was observed with the plaque index, where the HO users exhibited the lowest mean values, as opposed to the NS cohort, which demonstrated the highest.
CONCLUSIONS: Employing post-hoc statistical evaluations, a pronounced disparity in the mean gingival index was discerned favoring the chlorhexidine (CHX) and HO groups over the NS group. No statistical significance was detected in the comparative mean gingival index between the CHX and HO cohorts. This pattern of findings was paralleled in the plaque index assessments, where the NS group\'s values were significantly elevated relative to those of both the CHX and HO groups.

UNASSIGNED: Limited data are available on the effect of mouthwashes containing Iranian propolis on plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) in patients with chronic gingivitis. The present study compared the effects of propolis and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwashes in patients with chronic gingivitis due to plaque accumulation.
UNASSIGNED: In the present interventional study, 28 patients 18‒50 years of age with generalized chronic gingivitis were assigned to two groups (n=14). Periodontal parameters, including PI and GI, were determined in all the subjects at baseline. Groups A and B received CHX and propolis mouthwashes, respectively. All the subjects used the mouthwashes for two weeks. Then all the parameters were evaluated gain. Independent t-test was used to compare the periodontal parameters between the two groups. Paired t-test was used for intra-group comparisons. Statistical significance was defined at P<0.05.
UNASSIGNED: Two weeks after using the mouthwashes, the mean PI in the CHX group (21.71±1.63) was significantly lower than that in the propolis group (33.91±5.96). However, the mean PI and GI in the propolis group decreased significantly compared to the baseline (P=0.00).
UNASSIGNED: Propolis significantly decreased the mean plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with chronic gingivitis. Although the reduction in PI in the propolis group was a little less than in the CHX group, the efficacy of propolis in reducing GI was comparable to CHX.

It is well known that bacterial plaque is the main etiological factor that causes the appearance of periodontal diseases and carious disease. Periodontal diseases can affect children and adolescents and are manifested in the form of gingivitis, but also the early form of chronic periodontitis as well as aggressive marginal periodontitis associated with local or general factors. Early periodontitis is frequently undiagnosed by clinicians due to a lack of knowledge of the specific symptoms. Certain systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, can create favorable conditions for the appearance and progression of severe manifestations of periodontal disease; also, recent research highlights that individuals with periodontal disease present an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Children with congenital or acquired cardiovascular diseases are at increased risk for complications resulting from the growth of microorganisms in the oral cavity, presenting a risk of infective endocarditis. The specific aim was to highlight the existing differences between the periodontal health of children with cardiovascular diseases and that of children without these diseases. The analyzed group included 124 patients, represented by children and adolescents, aged between 7 and 17 years, who were divided into four subgroups depending on the presence or absence of cardiovascular diseases and periodontal disease. A specialized clinical examination was performed for each patient, and periodontal clinical parameters were quantified (plaque index, gingival bleeding index, gingival index, community periodontal index of treatment needs) and associated with the diagnosis of general condition. Patients diagnosed with periodontal disease underwent specialized treatment and were called to a control visit 3 months after treatment. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between subgroups with much higher values of clinical parameters for patients with cardiovascular disease. Also, the response to the treatment was better in the case of patients in the control subgroup without cardiovascular diseases. The present study highlighted the interaction of three factors in the progression of periodontal diseases: subgingival microbiota, immune system response and environmental factors.