Antibacterial effect of Kenger gum on mutans streptococci and its cytotoxic effect on the 3T3 fibroblast cell line.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of Kenger gum on mutans streptococci (in vivo) and Streptococcus mutans (in vitro) and its cytotoxic effect on the 3T3 fibroblast cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro antibacterial activity of Kenger gum extracts against S.mutans was determined by the disk-diffusion method. The broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The cytotoxic effect on 3T3 fibroblast cells at different time intervals was determined using cell culture and viability assays. Clinical studies were then performed on 20 healthy adult subjects, where a sugar-free chewing gum was used as a control. To determine the MS counts, oral rinse samples were taken before chewing as well as 30 and 60 min after 15 min of chewing. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the bacteria level in the oral rinse samples between the two chewing gums. The Least Significant Difference test was used for adjustment for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The MIC of the acetone extract of Kenger gum was 30 µg/ml. The acetone extract of Kenger gum possessed moderate antiproliferative properties against the non-tumorigenic cell line 3T3. A statistically significant decrease was observed for both chewing gums at 30 and 60 min. The decrease continued at 60 min after chewing Kenger gum, while the values for control gum tended to approach the baseline after 60 min. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study showed that Kenger gum had particular and prolonged antibacterial activity against S. mutans and salivary mutans streptococci.

Periodontitis Prevalence, Severity, and Risk Factors: A Comparison of the AAP/CDC Case Definition and the EFP/AAP Classification.

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study evaluated the utility of the 2018 European Federation of Periodontology/American Academy of Periodontology (EFP/AAP) classifications of epidemiological studies in terms of periodontitis severity, prevalence and associated risk factors and the 2012 American Academy of Periodontology/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (AAP/CDC) case definitions. METHODS: We included 488 participants aged 35-74 years. Measurements were recorded at six sites per tooth by two qualified examiners. The evaluated parameters included pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL) and bleeding on probing (BOP). Periodontitis prevalence and severity were reported using the 2018 EFP/AAP classification and the AAP/CDC case definitions. The data were stratified by recognized risk factors (age, diabetes and smoking status). RESULTS: The 2018 EFP/AAP classification indicated that all patients suffered from periodontitis. When CAL served as the main criterion, the frequency of patients with severe (Stages III-IV) periodontitis was 54%. When the AAP/CDC case definitions were applied, the prevalence of periodontitis was 61.9% and that of severe periodontitis 16.8%. Age was the most significant risk factor, regardless of the chosen case definition. CONCLUSION: It is essential to employ a globalized standard case definition when monitoring periodontitis and associated risk factors.