Association between prenatal vitamin D deficiency with dental caries in infants and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Prenatal vitamin D (PVD) is a vital micronutrient for dental caries (DCs). The association between prenatal vitamin D deficiencies (PVDD) and DCs in children has been conflicting in different reports. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between PVDD and DCs in children for the first time. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Embase, and Scholar databases to find relevant studies based on mesh terms from 2000 to October 2023. This study was conducted based on the 2020 version of the PRISMA checklist. Cochran's Q and I2 tests were used to evaluate heterogeneity between studies. Egger's test was used to evaluate publication bias. The effect size of the association between PVDD and DCs was reported by the odds ratio (OR) at the 95% confidence interval (95% CI).Twelve studies, including 11,021 participants, were reviewed. The pooled prevalence of PVDD was estimated at 4353 (32%). The prevalence of DCs in children of mothers with and without PVDD was 44% and 25%, respectively. PVDD was significantly associated with an increased risk of DCs in children (OR: 1.35, 95% CI (1.22, 1.47), I2 = 86.6%). The association of DCs with PVDD was different based on gestational age groups, children's age groups, and vitamin D levels. This meta-analysis showed PVDD can be associated with an increased risk of DCs in children, especially in mothers with prenatal vitamin D levels ≤ 35 nmol/L. Adequate vitamin D levels throughout pregnancy can help prevent DCs in children.

Efficacy of 2% ibuprofen subgingival irrigation as an adjunct to non-surgical therapy in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A randomized controlled, split-mouth, clinical trial.

Background: Pharmacological factors, such as ibuprofen, released topically in the periodontal pocket modulate the host response and enhance the influence of non-surgical periodontal treatment. Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, split-mouth, clinical trial, 38 outpatients with mild to moderate chronic periodontitis were enrolled by applying the simple random sampling method. They had at least one tooth with a periodontal pocket depth of >4 mm in each quadrant and had undergone phase I of periodontal treatment one week after scaling and root planing (SRP). The parameters of clinical periodontal evaluation, including probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), and bleeding index (BI), were measured. In addition, two mandibular molar teeth in one quadrant were randomly nominated for subgingival irrigation with 0.5 mL of 2% ibuprofen or placebo mouthwash. The measurements were repeated after at least one week for three months. Results: Thirty-four individuals (18 women and 16 men), with an age range of 28‒36 years, were evaluated for three months. Moreover, periodontal clinical parameters were assessed within three months. There was a significant improvement in pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) readings after 12 weeks in both groups (paired t-test). On comparing, the group with scaling and root planing (SRP) + ibuprofen showed more favorable results than the group with SRP + placebo (P<0.05). There were significant improvements in PI and BI in both groups; the differences between the two groups were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The mouthwashes containing ibuprofen might reduce the symptoms of periodontal disease and might be used as an adjunct in the healing process.