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Background Head and neck cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer globally. Reduced saliva production brought on by postradiation therapy upsets the delicate balance between bacterial load and a weakened immune system. Oral hygiene is commonly neglected in patients who have undergone radiotherapy and they often develop dry mouth, mucositis due to radiation therapy, etc., as side effects. Despite being a part of the current standard, chlorhexidine carries numerous disadvantages such as taste alteration, teeth staining, and dry mouth. An extensive review of the literature demonstrates the antibacterial properties of essential oils (EOs) derived from plant materials, which may be able to prevent the development of such opportunistic microorganisms in the oral cavity. Methodology The cinnamon bark EO and Cajeput EO were procured and checked for their solubility. The final ratio at which the oils were found to be soluble was the 1:1 (w/v) ratio. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cinnamon bark oil (Cinnamomum verum) and Cajeput oil (Melaleuca leucadendron) against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans was determined by serial dilution method using Resazurin dye, and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was done by a spread plating method. The polyherbal mouthwash was subjected to cytotoxicity assay against human gingival fibroblasts. All the experiments were performed in triplicates. Results The overall results showed that cinnamon bark EO had the strongest efficacy against S. aureus (0.33 ± 0.14 mg/mL) and E. faecalis (0.41 ± 0.14 mg/mL), but not against C. albicans (2.85 ± 2.11 mg/mL). Cajeput EO showed the least efficacy against all the groups; whereas the combination of EOs proved to be the most efficacious and showed good antimicrobial activity against these most commonly encountered microorganisms in head and neck cancer postradiotherapy. Conclusions Cinnamon and Cajeput EOs in combination proved to be effective in this in vitro study against the most common microorganisms encountered in patients with head and neck cancer postradiotherapy and are comparable to 0.2% chlorhexidine.
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To assess the parental knowledge and practices regarding infant teething and attitude towards infant oral health among parents of infants aged 6 months to 3-years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 parents who met the inclusion criteria. A self-designed, validated questionnaire comprising 13 questions was used. Questionnaire comprised of sociodemographic details, knowledge and experience of teething symptoms, practices used to relieve it and overall attitude towards infant oral health. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was applied. RESULTS: Parents attributed fever (87%), diarrhea (65%), gum irritation (71%) and desire to bite (78%) as common teething symptoms. Ninety-eight percent of the participants did not know that delayed tooth eruption could be an indicator for systemic disease. In case of first born child, parental knowledge was poor as compared to 2nd or 3rd born child (p = 0.023). Parents had a positive attitude regarding consulting a physician for teething problems and visiting a dentist for issues related to infant oral health. Tlismi necklaces (67%) and homeopathic tablets (25.8%) were two unique remedies identified in this population. Parents also reported over-the-counter use of systemic analgesics (58.2%). Emergence of upper teeth before lower teeth was considered as a bad omen by few parents. CONCLUSION: Parents wrongly attributed several systemic illnesses as teething symptoms. Though parents had a positive attitude towards infant oral care, it was not inculcated into practice. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Parents should be advised against self-medication and to report systemic illness in children to pediatricians and pediatric dentists for correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This study also highlights the need for educating parents about infant teething and oral care practices related to primary dentition for eruption of healthy permanent dentition. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: More SG, Sankeshwari R, Ankola AV. Exploring Parental Knowledge and Indigenous Practices for Infant Teething in Indian Population: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(6):479-483.
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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical properties of locally prepared Licorice varnish (LV), commercially available Fluoride varnish (FV) and a Combination of both Varnishes (CV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: LV was prepared using authenticated licorice roots. Commercially available FV (Bifluorid 12) was used as a positive control and CV was prepared in six different concentrations of both varnishes. Conventional antibacterial activity assessment, employing disc diffusion and broth dilution methods, was inconclusive. Therefore a novel assessment method was used, whereby the varnish was directly added to a mixture of Brain Heart Infusion broth with Streptococcus mutans and incubated. Physical parameters such as pH, rate of evaporation, viscosity, film forming ability, and cost incurred for preparation were assessed and compared. RESULTS: FV, LV and CV (except the combination of LV 80% + FV 20%) showed antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans. All three varnishes formed films on the tooth surface as confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Mean pH was in the range of 4-4.5, viscosity 48-52 centipoise (cP), rate of evaporation was 150-160 seconds. They were comparable to each other in the physical parameters tested, except for the shelf life of LV. CONCLUSION: All three varnishes showed antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans which was established using an innovative method of antibacterial activity assessment. LV was most economical of all but had a shorter shelf life. The results of this study need to be evaluated through an in vivo study.