Association between Type, Amount, and Pattern of Carbohydrate Consumption with Dental Caries in 12-Year-Olds in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the types, food sources, and pattern of carbohydrates that significantly contribute to dental caries in Puerto Rican children. METHODS: As part of an island-wide cross-sectional oral health study in 1,587 twelve-year-olds, diet intake was assessed in a representative subset (n = 801) with a 24-hour dietary recall. Carbohydrate intake was quantified using a computer-based diet analysis program. Caries was assessed using the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research diagnostic criteria. Odds ratios were used to associate carbohydrate intake quartiles with caries, after controlling for important confounders. RESULTS: A total of 723 subjects had complete data. Most were females (54%) and attended public schools (77%). The caries prevalence was 33%. The highest quartile intake for the following sugars significantly increased the odds of caries compared to the lowest quartile: total carbohydrates (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.08-3.46), total sugars (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.01-351), sucrose (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.13-3.70), fructose (OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.05-3.62), and inositol (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.38-4.63). The main food sources of these sugars were juices, including natural juices with no added sugars, and sweetened beverages. The odds of caries also increased significantly in children whose 10% of total energy intake was from total sugars (OR = 3.76, 95% CI = 1.03-13.7). CONCLUSION: After adjusting for important caries risk factors, total carbohydrates, total sugars, ≥10% kilocaloric energy from total sugars, and sucrose, fructose, and inositol intake significantly increased caries risk. Our findings can help raise awareness about the potential caries risk from the main sources of these sugars, natural fruit juices and sweetened beverages, which are consumed in great quantities in many societies.

Low vitamin D status strongly associated with periodontitis in Puerto Rican adults.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis and vitamin D deficiency are both highly prevalent in Puerto Rico. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and periodontal disease in Puerto Rican adults. METHODS: A sex-, age-, and BMI-matched case-control, cross-sectional study was conducted on 24 cases of moderate/severe periodontitis and 24 periodontally healthy controls aged 35 to 64 years. Each participant completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, underwent a full-mouth periodontal examination and provided blood sample to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) levels to assess vitamin D status. RESULTS: A total of 19 matched case-control pairs (28 females, 10 males) completed the study. Mean serum 25 (OH) D levels were significantly lower in cases (18.5 ± 4.6 ng/ml) than in controls (24.2 ± 7.1 ng/ml; p = 0.006). Lower odds of periodontal disease were observed per unit of 25 (OH) D level (OR 0.885; 95 % CI 0.785, 0.997; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum vitamin D levels are significantly associated with periodontitis in Puerto Rican adults.

[Use of platelet concentrate in bone regeneration through exodontics. Narrative review]. / Uso de concentrados plaquetarios en la regeneración ósea por exodoncia. Revisión narrativa.

Introduction: The post-exodontic alveolar atrophy requires quality bone regeneration techniques, and therefore, it is necessary to apply platelet concentrates, which are bioactive agents in the process of preserving the alveolar bone. The use of platelet concentrates proved to be an excellent osteoinducer since it leads to three important effects for maintaining bone structure. Objective: To analyze the use of platelet concentrates in post-exodontic bone regeneration. Materials and methods: A descriptive, explanatory study. A narrative review in which data was collected from 26 scientific articles published in scientific databases such as PubMed, Redalyc, ScienceDirect, and Ovid between 2012 and 2022. Conclusions: Platelet concentrates are physiological materials that speed up the healing time of post-extraction wounds. They are autologous since they are taken from the patient him/herself, reducing the risk of postoperative reactions, and the transmission of diseases by parenteral route. They relieve both inflammation and edema as well as post-surgery symptoms that appear after a dental extraction. They also help to preserve the alveolar ridge, avoiding long-term atrophy.