Caries activity describes the
status of the caries process as getting worse (demineralization)
or getting better ( remineralization). Caries risk
describes the status of the whole patient. It can be
defined as the likelihood of the patient getting a new cavity.
Offense (things that cause
cavities): bacteria, sugar use 3 or more times/day between
meals, not brushing or flossing, dry mouth.
Defense(things that helps teeth):
normal salivary flow, high levels of fluoride, past history of
cavities, medical history. A Paradigm
Shift for Caries Diagnosis and Treatment, Dr. Steinberg, Dental
Equipment & Materials , pg 78-79, 6/2004
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Dental Disease
Affects Health
Association between Dental Caries Activity and Coronary
Heart Disease Severity
The link between dental diseases and a wide range of systemic
medical conditions has recently acquired increased attention.
Periodontal disease, in particular, has
been implicated as a marker of cardiac disease. Dental
caries, the most common oral infection, should be
considered as a potential risk factor for all systemic
diseases. Few studies have investigated this association. To
investigate the potential relationship between dental caries
activity, dental plaque levels and presence of mutans
streptococci (Ms) in saliva (independent variables) and coronary
heart disease (CHD) severity (dependent variable). Methods: 219
cardiac patients in a hospital cardiac clinic were included.
Dental caries activity was evaluated by the "D" or
"untreated" component of the DMFT index , dental plaque was
measured according to the Turesky index, and the number (CFU\ml)
of salivary Ms were measured on
MSB-agar. CHD severity was assessed according to extent of
vessel blockage; function and size of left ventricle
According to results of LV-Gram catheterization; Stress tests
were categorized by physiological symptoms of CHD; previous
hospitalization (due to CHD) was recorded. Results: Previously
hospitalized patients due to CHD had 3.03 untreated carious
teeth as compared with 1.84 among patients not previously
hospitalized (Mann-Whitney,p=0.032). Levels of MS were lowest
among patients who had no coronary blockage: 11.63 million CFU\ml,
as compared to patients with single, double, or triple vessel
blockage: 12.97,30.64, 21.11 million CFU\ml respectively (ANOVA,
p=0.031). Plaque index levels were lowest among patients with no
coronary blockage (2.80) as compared with patients with single,
double or triple vessel blockage: 3.56, 3.31, 3.54 respectively
(ANOVA, p=0.049).
Conclusions: These data consistently indicate a potential
association between dental caries activity and CHD severity and
emphasize the role of preventive dentistry in the promotion of
general health.
H.D. SGAN-COHEN1, M.N. SELA1, M. ANGIE1, and M.
MOSSERI2, 1Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental
Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel, 2Hebrew University - Hadassah
School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel Seq #56 -
Epidemiology10:45 AM-12:45 PM, Thursday, 10 March 2005 Baltimore
Convention Center 331
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New Clue
to Tooth Decay Could Lead to Dental Advances
A study comparing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs),
a group of small proteins that occur naturally in human saliva
and act like antibiotics against oral bacteria, could lead to
new ways to screen children for
risk of tooth decay and protect them against this common,
chronic problem. Oral examinations performed on 149 middle
school children. Researchersat the University of Washington in
Seattle set out to determine a possible correlation between
dental caries prevalence in children and salivary concentrations
of three types of antimicrobial peptides. Results found that
children with no tooth decay had higher levels of one particular
type of AMP (alpha defensin) than children with tooth decay. The
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research,
part of the Nation al Institutes of Health, funded the study.
The study, "Salivary Antimicrobial Peptide
Expression and Dental Caries Experience in Children," published
in the September 2005 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents
and Chemotherapy 1/06
Resource: Oral Care Report, Harvard School,
Volume 10, Number 2001
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