Min-Ji Kim

Salivary bisphenol-A levels due to dental sealant/resin: a case-control study in Korean children.

Dental sealants and composite filling materials containing bisphenol-A (BPA) derivatives are increasingly used in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between salivary BPA and the number of tooth surfaces filled with dental sealant, and to determine a cutoff BPA level. Salivary BPA concentration and the number of tooth surfaces filled with dental sealant/resin were determined in 124 age and gender matched children: 62 controls had no dental sealant/resin on their tooth surfaces and 62 cases had more than 4 tooth surfaces with dental sealant/resin. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and conditional logistic regression were performed after controlling for age, gender, salivary flow rate, salivary buffer capacity, frequency of snacking, and frequency of tooth brushing. Salivary BPA levels were 0.002 to 8.305 µg/L. The BPA level of control (0.40 µg/L) was significantly lower than that of case (0.92 µg/L) after controlling for confounders (P = 0.026). Although the 90th BPA percentile had an adjusted OR of 4.58 (95% CI 1.04-20.26, P = 0.045), the significance disappeared in the conditional logistic model. There may be a relationship between salivary BPA level and dental sealant/resin.

Regular dental checkup and snack–soda drink consumption of preschool children are associated with early childhood caries in Korean caregiver/preschool children dyads

OBJECTIVESnEarly childhood caries (ECC) is a common oral disease among young Korean children. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of ECC with preschool childrens oral health behavior and caregivers oral health in Ulsan, Korea.nnnMETHODSnIn 2006, cross-sectional survey of 1214 children under 6 years old and their care givers were surveyed. Two dentists examined according to the WHO criteria. Outcome variable was ECC, and explanatory variables were preschool childrens oral health behavior and caregivers oral health. The chi-square test and multiple log-binomial regression models were performed.nnnRESULTSnThe prevalence of simple ECC was 47.5% and that of severe ECC was 34.8%. In bivariate analysis, ECC prevalence was increased according to childrens age, caregivers age, and type of housing. In multiple log-binomial regression models, preschool childrens irregular oral checkup [prevalence ratio (PR): 1.7 for simple ECC and 1.8 for severe ECC] and frequent snack and soda drinking (PR: 1.2 for simple ECC, and 1.6 for severe ECC) were significant factors.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study demonstrates that the prevalence of ECC was high among Korean children. Early intervention programs for preschool childrens oral health behavior should be developed based on the risk factors identified in this study.

The role of glutathione metabolism in cariogenic bacterial growth and caries in Korean children.

AIMnThe involvement of antioxidants in oral diseases suggests that salivary glutathione level may be associated with cariogenic bacteria and dental caries. The aim of this study was to determine the association of salivary glutathione with dental caries and cariogenic bacteria.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThis is a cross-sectional oral health survey of 257 children aged 6-14 years. Total glutathione, reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG) levels were measured. Salivary mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli (LB) were measured using Dentocult MS and Dentocult LB kits. The dental caries status was examined. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and a linear regression model were used to evaluate the association among glutathione metabolites, cariogenic bacteria and dental caries status.nnnRESULTSnThe salivary GSH level of the children was found to be significantly increased according to the salivary LB level and DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) (p=0.034 for salivary LB level; p=0.018 for DMFT). The glutathione metabolite levels were significantly higher in the decayed tooth (DT) group (p<0.001 for total glutathione and GSH; p=0.012 for GSSG). The GSH level showed a significant linear relationship with the salivary LB level (p=0.016), DMFT score (p=0.005) and DT score (p=0.010). Total glutathione and GSSG levels exhibited a significant linear relationship with DT (p=0.021).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis result indicates that the GSH level in saliva increased significantly in children according to the salivary LB level and the presence of dental caries. GSH may be a biomarker for cariogenic bacteria and dental caries.

Nitric oxide modulates levels of salivary Lactobacilli.

Abstract Objective. Nitric Oxide (NO) is one of the most powerful antibacterial compounds. The aim of this study was to determine the association between salivary NO, dental caries and cariogenic bacteria. Materials and methods. The salivary NO concentration of 257 Korean children was analyzed by the Griess colorimetric reaction method. Salivary mutans streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli (LB) were counted using the Dentocult MS and Dentocult LB kit, respectively. Dental caries status was examined using the WHO criteria. Confounders were age, gender, salivary flow rate and salivary buffer capacity. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate the association among NO, salivary MS level, salivary LB level and dental caries status after adjusting for the effects of confounders. Results. A significant decrease was found in salivary NO levels as the salivary LB count increased after controlling for confounders (p = 0.049). However, the MS level, caries experience and active caries status showed no significant association. Conclusion. This result indicates that NO production might be a host defense mechanism against the growth of cariogenic bacteria.