Effects of Xylitol and CPP-ACP Chewing Gum on Salivary Properties of Children with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization.

AIM: To compare the efficacy of chewing gum containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and xylitol on salivary characteristics in 8-10 years old children with molar incisor hypomineralization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial using CPP-ACP chewing gums (group I) and xylitol chewing gums (group II) was conducted among 32 children affected with mild molarincisor hypomineralization (MIH). Salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity were measured using saliva check kit (GC America). Data obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software version 20. Descriptive statistics-mean, standard deviation, 95% confidence interval. Inferential statistics-independent t tests were used. RESULTS: A significant increase in mean salivary pH, flow rate and buffering action was observed from baseline to immediately after spitting the chewing gum in both the study groups (p 0.05). CONCLUSION: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate containing chewing gums improve salivary characteristics in MIH-affected children. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Xylitol and CPP-ACP chewing gums are recommended in MIH children with early demarcated opacities as it improves the salivary properties in those children and prevents further complications. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Prathima GS, Narmatha M, Selvabalaji A, et al. Effects of Xylitol and CPP-ACP Chewing Gum on Salivary Properties of Children with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(3):412-415.

Prevalence of oral potentially malignant disorders associated with habits in Puducherry - a Cross-sectional study

Tobacco and betel quid are the most common cause of oral cancer in India. Very often oral cancers are preceded by a visible oral precursor lesion called as potentially malignant disorder (PMD). Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of oral PMDs associated with habits in urban and rural areas of Puducherry Union territory, India. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study in urban and rural areas of Puducherry was conducted. The study group comprised of 450 patients with positive history of oral habits. A standard structured questionnaire was designed to record information about demographic details, socioeconomic status, type, duration and frequency of habits followed by clinical oral examination by single trained and calibrated examiner to detect the presence of PMD. Statistical analysis used: EpiData software (version 3.1). Descriptive statistics were presented for all variables. Pearson's Chi-Square test and adjusted odds ratio (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to estimate the suspected risk factors for PMD by using multivariate logistic regression analysis. P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Prevalence of habit associated oral PMD was 64.2%. Females were more prone to develop PMDs (68.3%) as compared to males (62.8%). PMD was more common in the age group of 51-60 years (69.2%). Smoking with alcohol consumption was the most common oral habit. Habits, socio-economic status and diet were significantly associated with development of oral PMDs in our study population. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that chronic betel quid chewing and smoking were significant risk factors for PMD. Increased frequency of vegetable consumption reduced the risk of PMD. Conclusions: Oral PMD were observed in more than half of the subjects with oral habits in Puducherry. Clearly, there is an increased risk of PMD with increased duration of tobacco and betel quid use in this region. Patients and public need to be educated regarding PMD and encouraged to quit habits so as to prevent high risk population from developing cancer

Colour Preference to Emotions in Relation to the Anxiety Level among School Children in Puducherry - A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Dental setting plays an important role in child's behavior and cooperation to the planned dental treatment. Adding attractive colours to the dental environment and by incorporating colourful equipments can make the child feel good and be at ease. This study tries to convey the relationship between colours and dental anxiety among children. AIM: To evaluate the colour preference to emotions in relation to children's age, gender and anxiety level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 382 children aged 6-12 years were randomly selected from schools in and around Puducherry. Modified dental anxiety scale was recorded by a calibrated examiner. Each question was scored from one (not anxious) to five (extremely anxious); such that the total score ranges from 5 to 25, wherein a score of 15 or more was considered to be anxious. Based on this, children were divided into anxious and non-anxious groups. All the children were provided with eight different coloured crayon pencils and were asked to shade two cartoon emoticons indicating happiness and sadness with their preferred colour. Values were tabulated and statistically analyzed to evaluate the association between the variables using Z test, Chi-square, Chi-square goodness of fit and odds ratio. (p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant). RESULTS: Among 382 children, 77% (294) were graded as anxious and 23% (88) as non- anxious. For positive emotion (happiness), 31.2% (119) children preferred blue followed by pink 29.3% (112). For negative emotion (sadness), 52.1% (199) of children preferred black and 46.9% (179) preferred red. Association between colour and emotion was highly significant (p= 0.005). CONCLUSION: From the colours preferred by the children in our study, it can be concluded that colours like blue and pink in the dental set-up could enhance a positive attitude while black and red could develop a negative outlook in their mind.