Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 14432

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Elzbieta Paszynska

E-Mail Website1 Website2 Website3 Website4
Guest Editor

Head of Department of Integrated Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Interests: clinical trials in preventive dentistry; salivary research; remineralization; oral biology in neuropsychiatry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach, is being organized in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. For detailed information on the journal, I refer you to https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph.

The development of dental caries affects people worldwide. Oral bacteria can metabolize sugars to organic acids. These acids can dissolve enamel or dentin, which is known as dental caries. Due to the dynamic development of this dental disease, in younger patients, the experience of therapeutic action with operative intervention can be expected. Although a general trend in caries decline has been observed, current data show that caries is still a highly prevalent disease of any socioeconomic status.

The prevention of dental caries in children and adults follows a multifactorial approach. Besides promoting a healthy, low-sugar diet, thorough preventive oral healthcare, i.e., toothbrushing with toothpaste at home, is advised to reduce the risk of caries. Oral hygiene procedures should be performed twice a day by every person. In doing so, oral health and general health will be promoted. To improve the convenience and compliance, oral care products are used. Those products can help to prevent oral diseases. Toothpastes should promote remineralization and inhibit the demineralization of enamel and dentin to prevent dental caries. For maintenance dental hygiene, biomimetic and safe ingredients should be favoured, especially those with proven benefits for oral health.

The human oral cavity plays an important role in overall health. Our mouth is not only important for the digestion of food but is also the place of entry for many microorganisms and viruses. Odontogenic infection may be more severe if a patient is affected from any systemic disease. Therefore, we are still seeking indicators of relationships between oral and general health. Developing strategies for reducing the risk factors is crucial for decreasing the full impact of the condition. This Special Issue is open to the subject area of dental caries, oral hygiene, and the acute and long-term complications to general health. The keywords listed below provide an outline of some of the possible areas of interest:

recent advances in dental caries diagnosis
oral hygiene prevention
oral bioremineralization products
caries risk factors
acute complications
long-term complications
epidemiology
randomized controlled trial
oral care and systemic diseases
multi-morbidity

Dr. Elzbieta Paszynska
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

recent advances in dental caries diagnosis
oral hygiene prevention
oral bioremineralization products
caries risk factors
acute complications
long-term complications
epidemiology
randomized controlled trial
oral care and systemic diseases
multi-morbidity

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Editorial

Jump to: Research

8 pages, 603 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Management for Caries Prevention in ADHD Children

by Elzbieta Paszynska, Anna Krahel, Malgorzata Pawinska, Monika Dmitrzak-Węglarz, Aleksandra Perczak, Agnieszka Słopień and Maria Gawriolek

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127455 - 17 Jun 2022

Viewed by 2030

Abstract

Emotional Dysregulations (ED) represent a major health risk present in about 5% of children and are associated with diverse forms of childhood psychiatric disorders and symptoms such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 10355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dental Status and Oral Health Behaviors of Selected 45–74-Year-Old Men from Northeastern Poland

by Malgorzata Pawinska, Anna Kondrat, Jacek Jamiolkowski and Elzbieta Paszynska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(11), 6005; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20116005 - 30 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1516

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the dental status and oral health behaviors of selected 45–74-year-old men from northeastern Poland. A total of 419 men were included. A questionnaire on demographic data, socioeconomic status and oral health behaviors was conducted. Dental caries experience (DMFT index), oral hygiene (AP index) and a number of edentulous subjects were evaluated clinically. More than half of the respondents (53.2%) brushed their teeth once a day. Nearly half of respondents (45.6%) reported for check-up visits more rarely than once in two years. Active nicotinism affected 26.7% of males. The prevalence of decay, the mean DMFT, the mean API and the prevalence of edentulism were, respectively, 100%, 21.4 ± 5.5, 77% and 10.3%. Increased DMFT values and MT were significantly correlated with older age (p < 0.001). Subjects of high educational status showed significantly lower values of DMFT and MT (p < 0.001). An increase in per capita family income was accompanied by a significant decrease in the API (p = 0.024), and an increase in DMFT (p = 0.031). This study demonstrated low health awareness and unsatisfactory dental status among the examined males. Dental and oral hygiene status were associated with sociodemographic and behavioral determinants. The poor oral health condition of the study population indicates the need to intensify pro-health education among seniors about oral care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fluoride Intake and Salivary Fluoride Retention after Using High-Fluoride Toothpaste Followed by Post-Brushing Water Rinsing and Conventional (1400–1450 ppm) Fluoride Toothpastes Used without Rinsing

by Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek, Tamara Pawlaczyk-Kamieńska and Maria Borysewicz-Lewicka

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13235; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013235 - 14 Oct 2022

Viewed by 2023

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the fluoride intake and salivary fluoride levels after brushing with conventional (1400–1450 ppm) fluoride toothpaste containing different fluoride agents: amine fluoride (AmF), sodium fluoride (NaF), sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP), potassium fluoride (KF), and a high-fluoride (5000 ppm) toothpaste containing NaF. Fourteen volunteers took part in the study. They were instructed to brush and spit without rinsing after using conventional toothpaste or brush and rinse with water after using a high-fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride concentrations were determined using ion-selective fluoride (09-37 type) in the saliva samples before and after procedures. Fluoride intake was estimated based on fluoride recovered after brushing. Additionally, the amount of fluoride present in the oral fluids and lost during the rapid clearance phase after toothbrushing was calculated based on salivary fluoride levels and saliva flow immediately after brushing. Salivary fluoride after using high-fluoride toothpaste was significantly higher than those observed after conventional products. Two hours after brushing, salivary fluoride concentrations did not differ significantly from baseline values (p > 0.05) unless a high-fluoride product was used. Results indicate that by refraining from rinsing after brushing with conventional toothpaste, we cannot obtain fluoride retention in saliva as with high-fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride ingestion was higher after using a high-fluoride product. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach)

16 pages, 946 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Oral Health Behaviours, Knowledge, and Literacy of Expectant Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study among Maternity Ward Patients

by Ewelina Chawłowska, Monika Karasiewicz, Agnieszka Lipiak, Rafał Staszewski, Mateusz Cofta, Maria Biskupska, Bogusz Giernaś and Agnieszka Zawiejska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11762; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811762 - 18 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2131

Abstract

Maternal knowledge, literacy, and behaviours in the area of oral health may greatly influence the risk of caries and the oral health status of children from the youngest age. Thus, the aim of the study was to investigate paediatric oral health knowledge and literacy as well as maternal oral health behaviours and outcomes among expectant mothers. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among 400 pregnant inpatients aged 17–48 years (mean age 29.5 ± 5.3 years) in 31 public maternity wards in the Wielkopolska region, Poland. An anonymous, self-designed questionnaire was prepared on the basis of current oral health recommendations. Pregnancy complications were reported by 195 (48.8%), and permanent tooth extractions by 158 (39.5%) women. Knowledge and literacy scores were associated with, among other things, maternal education, selected oral hygiene practices, and reported extractions of permanent teeth. Although participants had some correct information regarding oral health, they had insufficient awareness of caries as an infectious disease and of the appropriate timing for the child’s first dental visit. Their self-assessment of oral health status and belief that they were under dental care tended to be overly optimistic, given their self-reported outcomes. These aspects should be considered in future health education efforts among expectant women. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 778 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Home Oral Care with Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite vs. Conventional Fluoridated Toothpaste for the Remineralization and Desensitizing of White Spot Lesions: Randomized Clinical Trial

by Andrea Butera, Simone Gallo, Maurizio Pascadopoli, Mona A. Montasser, Mohammad H. Abd El Latief, Gioia Giada Modica and Andrea Scribante

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8676; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148676 - 16 Jul 2022

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 2896

Abstract

Introduction: Biomimetic hydroxyapatite-based toothpastes have been investigated in recent years for their remineralizing activity on dental surfaces. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of toothpaste containing biomimetic hydroxyapatite versus a 1450 pppm fluoride one in promoting the remineralization and desensitization of white spot lesions. Methods: 40 patients were randomly assigned to two different domiciliary oral hygiene treatments: toothpaste containing 1450 ppm of fluoride (control group) and toothpaste containing biomimetic hydroxyapatite (experimental group). Dental sensitivity/pain and dental erosion were assessed at baseline and after 15, 30, and 90 days using the following indexes: Schiff Air Index (SAI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE). Results: Data were submitted for statistical analysis. SAI significantly decreased after 3 months (T3) of treatment only in the Trial group (p < 0.05). VAS values significantly decreased at T2 in the trial group (p < 0.05) with a further significant reduction at T3 (p < 0.05). BEWE scores did not significantly vary during the follow up neither in the trial nor in the control group. Conclusions: The hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste tested caused a reduction of hypersensitivity/pain values higher than conventional fluoride toothpaste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Do Different Sources of Knowledge and Multiculturalism of Dental and Medical Students Affect the Level of First Aid Education? Do Medical Stereotypes Exist?

by Małgorzata Grześkowiak, Marta Iwańska, Adam Pytliński, Alicja Bartkowska-Śniatkowska and Agnieszka D. Gaczkowska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8260; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148260 - 6 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1344

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of having various sources of information in the field of first aid on the level of knowledge of dental and medical students, as well as to recognize if medical stereotypes exist in the domain of first aid. Methods: We tested 818 Native-(N) and English (E)—speaking students of medicine (M) and dentistry (D). The questionnaire was constructed in a way that it could detect the issues which created the biggest challenges to the students. It consisted of both theoretical and clinical questions. The intention was to find out whether there were any medical stereotypes. The students were asked to provide the sources of their knowledge to each question, and information about the presence of first aid classes at school. Results: We found medical stereotypes, but only in the questions pertaining to theory: questions concerning defibrillation, opening the airway in infants and the causes of airway obstruction of an unconscious adult. Correlations were found between the sources of knowledge with answers to the questions in each group of students and between the groups. The sources of knowledge in N students came mostly from school, or the students were not able (NA) to indicate the source of knowledge, but E groups gave out of school courses, mass media and their own knowledge (or from the others), as well as NA answers. Interestingly in ED group, among other answers, students also indicated schools as a source of their knowledge. Conclusions: We confirmed that medical stereotypes among dental and medical students exist, and they were not related to multiculturalism or the use of different sources of knowledge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 2483 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Intra-Oral Qualitative Sensory Testing Foretell Postoperative Dental Pain? A Preliminary Report

by Alona Emodi-Perlman, Deia Altarescu, Pessia Frideman-Rubin and Ilana Eli

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 8059; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138059 - 30 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1454

Abstract

Pain prevention and management is one of the primary goals of dental care. Postoperative dental pain (PDP) following caries removal and performance of a restorative dental treatment is a common clinical phenomenon, often causing significant discomfort to dental patients. In the present study, a psychophysical non-invasive method, qualitative sensory testing (QualST), was used in an attempt to foretell PDP following dental restorative procedures. Forty-two dental patients underwent an intra-oral cold QualST four times: immediately prior to a restorative dental procedure and at a follow-up meeting 1–3 weeks later, on the treated and on the contralateral oral sides. The QualST measures included subjects’ evaluation of the magnitude of pain and cold sensations experienced (on visual analogue scales) and the duration of the cold sensation (in seconds). Additional measures included age, gender, level of dental anxiety, jaw treated, and type of dental restoration performed (Class I or Class V). Subjects’ PDP was assessed through the phone using numeric rating scales 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively. The highest level of PDP experienced by subjects occurred 24 h postoperatively (ANOVA with repeated measures). Of the study variables, the QualST pain sensation (B = 0.645, p < 0.001), duration of the cold sensation (B = 0.042, p < 0.05), and an interaction between gender and dental anxiety (B = 0.136, p < 0.05) emerged as possible predictors of the highest PDP experienced by subjects (stepwise regression). The results suggest that subjects’ reaction to an intra-oral cold stimulation of the oral mucosa can serve as a potential tool to foretell postoperative dental pain following restorative dental procedures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dental Caries, Oral Hygiene, and General Health—Exchange of Ideas in Clinical Approach)

► Show Figures