Elisângela de Jesus Campos

In vitro study on tooth enamel lesions related to whitening dentifrice

BACKGROUND The tooth whitening substances for extrinsic use that are available in Brazil contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Several studies have attributed the appearance of lesions in the enamel morphology, including hypersensitivity, to these substances. Such lesions justify fluoride therapy and application of infrared lasers, among other procedures. However, there is no consensus among researchers regarding the relevance of the severity of lesions detected on the tooth surface. OBJECTIVES The present study was carried out with an aim of evaluating in vitro the effects of the hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide and sodium bicarbonate contained in dentifrice formulations, on human tooth enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS After darkening process in laboratory, human premolars were brushed using dentifrice containing the two whitening substances (Rembrandt - carbamide peroxide and Mentadent - hydrogen peroxide) and the abrasive product (Colgate - sodium bicarbonate). The degree of specimen staining before and after this procedure was determined using spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to obtain images, which were analyzed to show the nature of the lesions that appeared on the enamel surface. RESULTS The effectiveness of the whitening caused by hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide and the abrasion caused by bicarbonate were confirmed, given that the treated test pieces returned to their original coloration. Based on SEM, evaluation of the enamel surfaces subjected to the test products showed that different types of morphologic lesions of varying severity appeared. CONCLUSIONS Whitening dentifrice containing hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide produced lesions on the enamel surface such that the greatest sequelae were associated with exposure to hydrogen peroxide.

Association between childhood obesity and oral hygiene status

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral hygiene status in pediatric obese patients. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2011 to 2012, which evaluated 180 Brazilian pediatric patients, 6-14 years old, girls and boys, recruited according to two Body Mass Index (BMI) categories: obese and non-obese (healthy weight). For the evaluation the oral hygiene status, the study used Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI). RESULTS According to the total sample, 5/60 obese (8.3%) and 57/120 non-obese (47.5%) had good OHI, while 23/60 obese (38.4%) and 3/120 non-obese (2.5%) were classified in a low level of OHI, with a significance between the groups (p < 0.001), even after sorting by age. According to the classification of GBI, 60/60 obese (100.0%) and 89/120 non-obese (74.2%) had GBI 1 (bleeding gingiva), and 0/60 obese and 31/120 non-obese (25.8%) were classified as GBI 0 (healthy gingiva), with a significance between the groups (p < 0.001), even after sorting by age. CONCLUSIONS This study indicated that OHI and GBI were significantly higher in the obese children group.

Comparison of two visual methods for detecting caries among obese and non-obese children

Abstract Objective: The study aimed to compare two visual methods for detecting caries among obese and non-obese children in Salvador, Brazil. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2011–2012, which evaluated 180 paediatric patients, 6–14 years old, girls and boys, categorized into two groups: obese and non-obese (healthy weight), according to the body mass index. For the evaluation of dental caries, the decayed, missing or filled teeth index (DMFT/dmft) and International Caries Detection and Assessment System II (ICDAS II) visual criteria were used. Results: The mean DMFT value was 0.98 in obese children and 0.57 in the non-obese children, without significant differences between groups (p = 0.206). The mean dmft value in the non-obese children (1.66) was higher than in obese children (0.95), with significant differences between groups (p = 0.021). According to ICDAS II criteria, there was a higher prevalence of non-cavitated enamel lesions (D1–3) in obese children (n = 156, 10.5%) compared to the non-obese children (n = 55, 1.9%), with significant differences between the groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The inclusion of non-cavitated lesions during the caries evaluation represents a challenge in diagnosis, which allows for control of this process before the evolution of these lesions to cavitation.

Prevalence of risk factors for oral diseases in obese patients referred for bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND Obesity is a risk factor for several chronic diseases, and scientific evidence suggests an association between obesity and oral diseases. In this study, the authors estimated the prevalence of risk factors for caries, dental erosion, and periodontal disease in a group of obese patients referred for bariatric surgery. METHODS The authors invited obese patients who were referred for bariatric surgery at a private center for treatment of obesity to participate in this study. The patients answered a questionnaire about their sociodemographic data, general and oral health histories, dietary habits, and oral health care behavior. RESULTS The authors evaluated a total of 255 participants; 200 (78.4%) were women, the median (interquartile range) age was 36.0 (30.0-43.0) years, and the median (interquartile range) body mass index was 39.7 (37.6-43.5) kilograms per square meter. The authors observed a high prevalence of risk factors for dental erosion; 78.4% of the participants consumed acidic foods daily, and 92.2% consumed acidic beverages daily. With respect to risk factors for caries, 38.5% of the participants reported high sucrose intake, and 59.6% preferred sweet beverages and foods with sucrose. Almost 13% of the participants reported having or having had dental mobility, and 59.6% reported having or having had gingival bleeding, suggesting a history of periodontal disease. CONCLUSIONS Obese patients referred for bariatric surgery are exposed to risks of experiencing oral diseases and should be evaluated by a dentist. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Knowing the risk factors for oral diseases in obese patients is important in raising awareness about these risk factors, as well as to prevent complications in the oral cavity.

Vocational training of dentistry students regarding knowledge of oral rinses with antiseptic

Objective : the indiscriminate use of mouthwash with antiseptic carries health risks because the active pharmacological ingredients and other components of these formulations are not innocuous. From this perspective, it is essential to add this knowledge to the vocational training curriculum for dental students. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge acquired by dental students graduating in 2014 about mouthwash with antiseptic and to evaluate the university education in three public and three private institutions. Methodology : an investigative enforcement tool was used to collect information from graduating students in 2014 from six dentistry undergraduate institutions in the state of Bahia. Results : of the students in private institutions, 56% reported having studied the rinses during their program, while 67% of students in public institutions indicated that they had not. Respondents cited a range of course and disciplines that addressed the topic. Of the students surveyed, 53.1% from public institutions and 46.9% from private institutions reported that they use rinses on a daily basis and expressed a preference for Colgate (50.7%), Oral B (26.4%) and Listerine (16.4%). With regard to knowledge of the active ingredients, 81% students did not answer, despite having general knowledge of diluents. Conclusion : although mouthwash is often included in the course of study, the level of knowledge students achieved was not considered satisfactory, given the high percentage of blank answers regarding active ingredients and indications.