Comparative Evaluation of Plaque Removal Effectiveness of Manual and Chewable Toothbrushes in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: In children, manual dexterity poses a problem with the use of manual tooth brushes (MB), resulting in inefficient plaque removal. Recently, novel chewable brushes (CB) have been introduced which could overcome this problem but are less researched in children. The objective of this study is to assess and compare the plaque removal effectiveness of CB with that of MB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 patients aged 8 to 10 years were enrolled in a single-blinded randomized clinical trial. At baseline, disclosing solution was applied and the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein index (TQHI) plaque index and Loe and Silness gingival index were recorded. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups as group I (MB) and group II (CB) and they were instructed to use their respective brushes for a period of 1 week. For statistical comparison, the difference (prebrushing minus postbrushing) in average scores was calculated. Data were evaluated by the independent t test and paired t test, with p < 0.05. RESULTS: The overall plaque scores reduced from 1.71 ± 0.4 to 0.79 ± 0.24 when using CB and from 1.64 ± 0.64 to 1.13 ± 0.47 when using MBs. On lingual tooth surfaces, CB showed a plaque reduction of 38.70 ± 11.04 to 12.60 ± 4.79 compared to less reduction from 37.43 ± 14.26 to 28.73 ± 11.37 for MB. The overall gingival scores were also reduced from 0.33 ± 0.51 to 0.09 ± 0.07 when using CB and from 0.30 ± 0.33 to 0.19 ± 0.23 when using MB. Differences in scores between the two brushes were statistically significant (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the experimental CB was able to remove a significant amount of plaque, particularly on the lingual surfaces, and reduced gingival index scores, thereby improving oral hygiene and gingival health status. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Kayalvizhi G, Radha S, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Plaque Removal Effectiveness of Manual and Chewable Toothbrushes in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2019;12(2):107-110.

Evaluation of Streptococcus mutans serotypes e, f, and k in saliva samples of 6-12-year-old school children before and after a short-term daily intake of the probiotic lozenge.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess the variations in the levels of Streptococcus mutans in saliva before and after short-term daily intake of the probiotic lozenge. To estimate the prevalence of S. mutans serotypes e, f, and k and its variations in salivary levels before and after short-term daily intake of the probiotic lozenge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted among 60 children of 6-12 years old, who were given lozenge twice daily containing probiotic bacteria twice daily, one in the morning and another in the evening after brushing for 1 month. The placebo lozenge group also followed the same protocol. A pre- and post-quantitative analysis of S. mutans and serotypes e, f, and k level were done in the saliva of both experiment and control groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data thus collected were statistically evaluated using repeated measures of ANOVA, followed by post hoc test and independent t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When compared with baseline, a significant reduction of S. mutans was seen after 1 month intervention and 6 months follow-up. The prevalence of serotype e was found to be 5% and serotype k was found to be 12%, whereas none of the samples carried serotype f. Future long-term research with a larger sample size is required to determine the prevalence of S. mutans serotype and longer evaluation period is required to assess the preventive role against caries development.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Xylitol Wipes on Cariogenic Bacteria in 19- to 35-month-old Children: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Dental caries is an infectious disease with Streptococcus mutans as the main cariogenic bacteria. Children with early S. mutans colonization have a higher risk of developing dental caries than those with later colonization. Therefore, prevention or delay of S. mutans colonization may be advantageous for the prevention of early childhood caries (ECC). AIM: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of xylitol and placebo wipes on S. mutans count in 19- to 35-month-old children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four children were randomly selected from a daycare center and divided into two groups. Allocation concealment was done and both (placebo and xylitol) wipes were distributed to their parents. Instructions were given regarding their use, to be used twice daily for 2 weeks and the S. mutans levels in the saliva were enumerated before and after wipes usage. The collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests. RESULTS: A clinically significant decrease in the S. mutans count was observed in the xylitol wipes group than the placebo wipes group. Intergroup comparison results were found to be statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Xylitol wipes usage could serve as a useful adjunct in reducing the cariogenic bacteria, especially S. mutans, and thus can be considered as an adjunct oral hygiene tool for caries prevention in young childrenHow to cite this article: Kayalvizhi G, Nivedha D, Sajeev R, Prathima GS, Suganya M, Ramesh V. Evaluating the Efficacy of Xylitol Wipes on Cariogenic Bacteria in 19- to 35-month-old Children: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(1):13-17.

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.