Cyanobacteria and Microalgae as Sources of Functional Foods to Improve Human General and Oral Health.

In the scenario of promising sources of functional foods and preventive drugs, microalgae and cyanobacteria are attracting global attention. In this review, the current and future role of microalgae as natural sources of functional foods for human health and, in particular, for oral health has been reported and discussed in order to provide an overview on the state of art on microalgal effects on human oral health. It is well known that due to their richness in high-valuable products, microalgae offer good anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-glycemic, cholesterol-lowering, and antimicrobial activity. Moreover, the findings of the present research show that microalgae could also have a significant impact on oral health: several studies agree on the potential application of microalgae for oral cancer prevention as well as for the treatment of chronic periodontitis and different oral diseases with microbial origin. Thus, beneficial effects of microalgae could be implemented in different medical fields. Microalgae and cyanobacteria could represent a potential natural alternative to antibiotic, antiviral, or antimycotic therapies, as well as a good supplement for the prevention and co-adjuvant treatment of different oral diseases. Nevertheless, more studies are required to identify strains of interest, increase overall functioning, and make safe, effective products available for the whole population.

The Effect of Dental Treatment under General Anesthesia on Quality of Life and Growth and Blood Chemistry Parameters in Uncooperative Pediatric Patients with Compromised Oral Health: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of untreated dental caries and their treatment under general anesthesia (GA) on the quality of life, growth, and blood chemistry parameters in uncooperative pediatric patients has not been extensively elucidated. The aims are to evaluate the impact of dental treatment under GA on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in uncooperative pediatric patients with severe dental caries and to assess the effect of dental treatment under GA on children's weight (Wt), height (Ht), Body Mass Index (BMI), and blood chemistry parameters. METHODS: Forty-three uncooperative children aged 3-14 years were selected. OHRQoL, through ECOHIS (Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale) and COHRQoL (Child Oral Health-Related Quality of Life) questionnaires, Wt, Ht, BMI, and blood chemistry parameters were measured at baseline and eight months after dental treatment under GA. RESULTS: At follow up, the reductions in the ECHOIS and the COHRQoL components were statistically significant (p < 0.0001), there was significant improvement in the anthropometric measures: 76.5% of children increased the percentile curves for weight, 68.6% for height, and 51.4% for BMI; for the blood chemistry parameters: ferritin improved in 68.6% of the samples, PCR in 65.7%, ESR in 68.6%, Vitamin D in 68.6%, and IGF-1 in 65.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Oral health status significantly influences OHRQoL, growth, and blood chemistry parameters in uncooperative pediatric patients.

In Vivo Release Kinetics and Antibacterial Activity of Novel Polyphenols-Enriched Chewing Gums.

Chewing gums may be particularly effective means for delivering and maintaining bioactive molecules, included in the gum formulation, able to have an anti-cariogenic effect. The purposes of this study were: to develop novel chewing gums containing quercetin (Qt); to evaluate their release using in vivo trial; finally, to test their in vivo antibacterial effect against oral Streptococcus mutans strains. A preliminary study was performed to produce new gums, enriched with the polyphenol quercetin. Then, a first in vivo experimental study was assessed to test the percentages of Qt released in the saliva of young volunteers. Moreover, a second clinical trial was performed to analyze the antibacterial capability of these enriched chewing gums against S. mutans strains after 14 days of daily consumption. The release analysis showed that a more effective release of Qt occurs in the first minutes of chewing, and it does not change saliva pH values. Moreover, Qt included in gums demonstrates an effective antibacterial activity, showing a reduction of the concentration of S. mutans strains in saliva samples, especially after 7 days. Qt included in experimental chewing gums could be efficiently released into the oral cavity and could promote an effective anti-caries concentration in volunteer's saliva, without changing salivary pH values.

Relationship Between Social and Behavioural Factors and Caries Experience in Schoolchildren in Italy.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to: 1) determine the oral health status of Campanian (Italy) 5- and 12-year-old schoolchildren; 2) establish an oral health baseline prior to introducing promotion and prevention strategies and appropriate healthcare for specific groups; 3) provide the starting point for monitoring changes over time according to the World Health Organization 2020 global goals for oral health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was performed on schoolchildren from public schools. 828 children were clinically evaluated, recording DMFT, dmft and SiC (Significant Caries Index). A questionnaire investigating demographic and oral health behaviour was completed by parents. RESULTS: 56.6% of the 5-year-old children were caries free (deciduous dentition) and the mean dmft value was 1.44 ± 2.13. In 12-year-old children, caries prevalence was 35.8%. The mean DMFT value was 1.17 ± 1.96, while the SiC was 3.42 ± 1.97. There were significant relationships between dmft/DMFT (caries experience) and family income level (p < 0.001), mother's educational level (p < 0.001) and history of recent dental visits (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Information drawn from this study can be helpful to describe future and specific dental prevention programmes in order to reduce caries incidence and promote better oral health in the Campania region of Italy.

Dental health in asthmatic children: a South Italy study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the oral health status of children with mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma compared to healthy children. METHODS: A group of 124 asthmatic children was compared to 156 age-matched healthy children. Bitewing radiographs were taken and clinical examinations were carried out to record caries prevalence, caries experience in both dentitions, periodontal health and dental enamel defects. RESULTS: Caries prevalence for asthmatic patients was 39% in the permanent dentition and 32% in the primary dentition. Healthy subjects presented 36% caries prevalence in the permanent dentition and 26% in the primary dentition. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in caries experience. The differences between asthmatic subjects and healthy subjects for periodontal health and enamel defects were not statistically significant either. CONCLUSIONS: Children affected by mild intermittent or mild persistent asthma do not seem to be more susceptible to oral diseases than healthy children.

In vivo remineralising effect of GC tooth mousse on early dental enamel lesions: SEM analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate nanocomplexes (CPP-ACP) exhibit anticariogenic potential in laboratory, animal and human experiments. The remineralising potential of synthetic CPPs on early enamel caries was investigated. DESIGN: In vivo study. SETTING: University of Naples 'Federico II', School of Dentistry, Department of Paediatric Dentistry, 2010, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 40 volunteers (age range 10-16 years) were recruited and divided in two groups of 20 (Group A and B). INTERVENTIONS: In Group A subjects two demineralised enamel specimens were placed on the buccal surfaces of the first molars and subjects were instructed to apply a commercial product containing CPPs (GC Tooth Mousse) only on the right-sided specimen and a placebo mousse on the left, for 1 month. In Group B subjects two enamel specimens were similarly placed into the mouth and used as controls. RESULTS: SEM analysis revealed a diffuse and homogeneous mineral coating, reducing the surface alterations only in the demineralised specimens treated with synthetic CPPs into the mouth. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that CPPs are able to promote remineralisation of early enamel lesions.

Antimicrobial properties of green tea extract against cariogenic microflora: an in vivo study.

The aim of the present study was to test in vivo the effectiveness of an experimental green tea extract in reducing levels of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli in saliva by means of selective culture medium. Sixty-six healthy patients ranging in age from 12 to 18 years were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: Group A (n=33) and group B (n=33). Group A subjects were asked to rinse their mouths with 40 mL of an experimental green tea extract, for 1 minute, three times a day for a week, whereas Group B subjects were asked to rinse with 40 mL of a placebo mouth rinse. Saliva samples were obtained at baseline, 4 days, and 7 days. The counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were investigated by chair-side kits. Data were statistically processed. A regression binary logistic analysis was done. The statistical significance level was established at P<.05. The experimental group showed a statistically significant reduction in colony counts of mutans streptococci and lactobacilli relative to the control group. These findings showed the efficacy of a green tea extract against cariogenic oral flora, opening a promising avenue of clinical applications in the preparation of specific and natural anticariogenic remedies.