Perception of patients with amalgam fillings about toxicity of mercury in dental amalgam.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate the awareness of patients with dental fillings about the toxicity of mercury in dental amalgam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients having at least one amalgam filling in their mouth were recruited in the Oral Diagnosis Department of OAUTHC, Ile-Ife Dental Hospital. Participants were recruited consecutively as they report in the clinic. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed based on standard questions from relevant publications. They were asked to indicate the type of filling material in their mouth, ingredients of the material, previous knowledge of mercury in dental amalgam and ailments due to mercury. They were to indicate their level of agreement with filling their cavities with dental amalgam despite prior information about its mercury content. RESULTS: There were about 446 respondents analyzed; male, 194 (43.5%); female 252 (56.5%). Six (1.4%) and 21 (4.7%) respondents were primary and secondary schools students respectively; 15(3.4%) had no formal education while about 410 (91.9%) were either undergraduate or graduate. All of them had at least one amalgam filling. 249 (55%) participants know the type of filling on their teeth; 156 (34.5%) had the knowledge of the presence of mercury in dental amalgam while 26.1% believed mercury can cause problems in human beings. About 90 (19.9%) participants claimed to have heard about adverse reactions to dental amalgams and 34 (7.5%) of them have heard about people recovering from an illness after removal of their filling. The level of agreement with filling their cavities with amalgam despite prior knowledge of its mercury content was 74% while 60% was observed for allowing just any material to be placed on their teeth. CONCLUSION: Awareness of toxicity of mercury in dental amalgam was slightly low among the respondents studied. This may be suggested to be a reflection of nonexistent of global amalgam controversy in Nigeria.

Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among secondary school adolescents in Osun state, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of secondary school pupils in Osun state about HIV/AIDS and the sources of their information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 592 secondary school pupils from 5 local government areas of Osun state, Nigeria. A self-administered questionnaire was used which composed of questions on their knowledge and sources of information about HIV/AIDS. RESULTS: About half believed that HIV can be contracted via mosquito bites and 53.7% believed via kissing. Half of the respondents agreed that a person who looks healthy can be infected and possess the ability to describe the look of an infected person. Majority (92.6%) claimed to have heard about HIV/AIDS prior to the study. More than half (67.8%) agreed that HIV/AIDS is a life-threatening disease, 29.4% said there is a cure for AIDS, and 77.6% thought that the government is doing enough to deal with the disease. The most important sources of HIV/AIDS information among the respondents were the media and the least important sources of information were the traditional healers (35.3%). CONCLUSION: This study revealed a high-level misconception among secondary school pupils in Osun state, Nigeria. Mass media was the major source of information with doubtful effectiveness evidenced by obvious erroneous beliefs. An improved multisectorial approach in HIV/AIDS education with greater participation of school and public libraries is advised.

Oral hygiene measures and the periodontal status of school children.

BACKGROUND: Tooth brushing and other mechanical cleaning procedures are considered the most reliable methods of effective plaque removal, which is essential for prevention of periodontal diseases. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between oral hygiene practices, socioeconomic status and gingival health in a group of Nigerian children. METHODS: Our study population consisted of 242 randomly selected school children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Participants completed a questionnaire on oral hygiene measures, their gingival health was assessed using oral hygiene index (OHI), plaque index (PI) and index of gingival inflammation (GI). RESULTS: Toothbrushing once daily was the most common practice (52.1%). Toothbrush with a fluoride-containing toothpaste was the most common tooth cleaning aid, while the up and down brushing technique was predominantly used. There was no statistically significant gender difference in toothbrushing frequency; however, significant gender differences were observed in PI and OHI scores (P<0.05). Gingivitis was absent in 28.9% of the children,, while 50.8% had mild, 13.6% moderate and 6.6% severe gingivitis. There was a weak but significant negative correlation between oral hygiene frequency and GI (P<0.05). Socioeconomic status had no relationship with oral hygiene frequency, however it had low but significant correlation with OHI and GI (P<0.05). A logistic regression analysis of the predictors on gingivitis showed that male gender and medium textured toothbrush had significant association with gingival health. CONCLUSIONS: Gingival health was influenced by gender, socioeconomic status, oral hygiene frequency and toothbrush texture. Motivation to apply instructions given on oral health care and regular reinforcement are essential.

Tooth sensitivity experience among residential university students.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the experience of residential University students about 'sensitive teeth'. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were given randomly to students in all the residential hostels located in the University campus. Data on presence of sensitive teeth, initiating stimulus and duration of each episode of discomfort were elicited. History of common aetiological factors of tooth sensitivity was also taken. RESULTS: One thousand and nineteen responses (650 males; 369 females) were analysed in this study. Approximately 697 (68.4%) volunteers claimed to have sensitive teeth. Majority described their discomfort as sharp pain, cold as the initiating stimulus and drinking was mostly interfered with. Tooth sensitivity was found to be common among hard toothbrush users. Multiple regression analysis showed that hard toothbrush had a significant association with tooth sensitivity. Other common aetiological factors, such as history of gastric acid reflux, vomiting, soft drinks and the use of vitamin C were found to have a weak association with tooth sensitivity. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of tooth sensitivity was 68.4%. Presence of tooth sensitivity among these students was associated more with history of hard toothbrush use contrary to widely held belief that erosive agents were mostly responsible. Future studies are needed to provide more epidemiological data on tooth brushing and tooth sensitivity.

Dental erosion due to lime consumption; review of literature and case report.

BACKGROUND: Dental health is increasingly threatened by dental erosion introduced by today's lifestyle. Extrinsic factor is the most implicated. Few literatures mentioned lime-incited dental erosion. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 49 year old woman was referred to our clinic with tooth wear and sensitivity. She was in good health but on daily dose of anti-hypertensive drugs for three years. Intraorally, classical erosive lesions were observed on the occlusal surfaces of the molars but of note are the lesions on the bucco-gingival surfaces of the maxillary incisors and the mandibular premolars. Dietary history eventually yielded inappropriate use of lime juice in order to slim down her weight. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The use lime must be considered when assessing dietary causes of erosion. Extensive dental damage and dentine hypersensitivity are classical clinical features. Dentists must be able to make a diagnosis of lime-incited dental destruction and to institute the necessary therapeutic and preventive measures.

The determinants and control of soft drinks-incited dental erosion / Determinantes e controle da erosão dental induzida por refrigerantes

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper has been to review the past and current literature on the determinants and control of soft drinks-incited dental erosion. METHODS: The authors used Medline to find relevant literature published until March 2009. Abstracts and full articles were read to identify studies and reviews describing various modifying factors and determinants of dental erosion. Additional information was obtained using manual library search. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Excessive exposure to various acid sources can contribute to the chemical erosion of tooth surfaces. While these acid sources have the potential to erode teeth, various chemical, biological and behavioral factors determines the erosive action of the acids they contain. Several interceptive and preventive means have been proposed to minimize damage to the dentition.

OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste artigo foi revisar a literatura passada e atual sobre os determinantes e controle da erosão dentária induzida por refrigerantes. MÉTODO: Os autores utilizaram o MEDLINE para encontrar literatura relevante publicada até março de 2009. Resumos e artigos completos foram lidos para identificar estudos e revisões descrevendo vários fatores modificantes e determinantes da erosãodentária. Obteve-se informação adicional pela busca manual na literatura em bibliotecas. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÕES: Exposição excessiva a várias fontes ácidas podem contribuir para a erosão química de várias superfícies dentárias. Enquanto estas fontes ácidas têm o potencial de erosionar dentes, vários fatores químicos, biológicos e comportamentais determinam a ação erosiva dos ácidos que contêm. Várias medidas preventivas e interceptivas têm sido propostas para diminuir os danos causados pela erosão.

Root malformation in mandibular premolars: an endodontic difficulty-report of two cases.

Much of the literature is concerned with variation in root canal morphology rather than variation in root morphology. The present communication reports two rare cases of patients with aberrant root morphology in all their mandibular premolars examined. The role of intra-oral preoperative radiographs of diagnostic value is emphasized, without which unexpected complications during endodontic treatment or extraction may occur. Failure of endodontic treatment as a result of the inability to negotiate and instrument one of the canals in the aberrant root is an important difficulty that may be encountered with such variant teeth.