Risk factors for periodontal disease

Self-reported dental attendance, oral hygiene habits, and dietary habits of adults with cystic fibrosis

AIMS

To evaluate the dental attendance, oral hygiene habits, and dietary habits of adults with Cystic Fibrosis in the Republic of Ireland.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A cross-sectional study was carried out using a structured anonymous questionnaire. A total of 71 adults with Cystic Fibrosis responded. While the majority of respondents (66.2%) saw a dentist in the preceding year, 15.5% had not attended a dentist for over 2 years. Smoking and alcohol consumption levels were low. 63.4% brushed twice or more daily, with 70.4% using a Fluoride containing toothpaste. 62% did not use any interdental cleaning aid. 5.6% changed their toothbrush at least once a month, but for 22.5% it was over 6 months. 70.4% used fluoride toothpaste. 38% snacked three or more times daily and 29.5% consumed fizzy drinks at least once daily.

CONCLUSIONS

The alcohol and tobacco consumption in this study group was low. However, a large proportion frequently consumed sugar-rich foods, and they did not change their toothbrush, brush their teeth, or attend the dentist as regularly as is advised. More targeted advice may be necessary to improve the oral hygiene habits of adults with Cystic Fibrosis.

Evaluation of the Progression of Periodontitis with the Use of Neural Networks

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the tissues surrounding the tooth that results in loss of periodontal attachment detected as clinical attachment loss (CAL). The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis, which is a necessary condition for periodontitis development. We can distinguish also some modifying factors which have an influence on the rate of development of periodontitis from which the most important are smoking and poorly controlled diabetes. According to the new classification from 2017, we can identify four stages of periodontitis and three grades of periodontitis. Grades tell us about the periodontitis progression risk and may be helpful in treatment planning and motivating the patients. Artificial neural networks (ANN) are widely used in medicine and in dentistry as an additional tool to support clinicians in their work. In this paper, ANN was used to assess grades of periodontitis in the group of patients. Gender, age, nicotinism approximal plaque index (API), bleeding on probing (BoP), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and pocket depth (PD) were taken into consideration. There were no statistically significant differences in the clinical periodontal assessment in relation to the neural network assessment. Based on the definition of the sensitivity and specificity in medicine we obtained 85.7% and 80.0% as a correctly diagnosed and excluded disease, respectively. The quality of the neural network, defined as the percentage of correctly classified patients according to the grade of periodontitis was 84.2% for the training set. The percentage of incorrectly classified patients according to the grade of periodontitis was 15.8%. Artificial neural networks may be useful tool in everyday dental practice to assess the risk of periodontitis development however more studies are needed.

Association between periodontitis and periodontal indices in newly diagnosed bronchial asthma

Background. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the tooth-supporting structures. Current data suggest that periodontal disease may be a risk factor for asthma. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of periodontitis and its relationship with the severity of asthma in asthmatic patients. Methods. This study was conducted on 70 newly diagnosed asthmatic patients as the case group and 70 healthy subjects as the control group, aged 20‒50. The asthma was diagnosed by a pulmonologist according to Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guideline. All the participants underwent peri-odontal examinations, which included measuring the pocket depth (PD), attachment loss (AL), gingi-val index (GI), and plaque index (PI) in one tooth from each sextant, including the incisor/canine and left and right premolar/molar regions for both the maxillary and mandibular dental arches. Results. Periodontal disease was significantly more prevalent in newly diagnosed asthma patients. Patients with asthma had significantly higher PI, GI, PD, and AL scores (P<0.001). Furthermore, dry mouth in asthmatic patients with cough and mucosal changes in asthmatic patients with wheeze were significantly more common than in non-asthmatic patients (P<0.05). The median AL in wheezing patients and the median AL and PD in participants who had asthma attacks within the previous month were significantly higher than in other patients. Furthermore, there was a significant negative correlation between AL with Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) and PD with FEV1 and FVC. Conclusion. Our results showed that periodontal diseases were more prevalent in newly diagnosed asthmatic patients, and asthma was more severe in periodontitis patients.

Inflammation as a link between periodontal disease and obesity

Nutrition plays a critical role in the homeostatic balance, maintenance of health, and longevity. There is a close link between inflammatory diseases and nutritional health. Obesity is a severe pathological process with grave implications on several organ systems and disease processes, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The impact of obesity on periodontal inflammation has not been fully understood; the association between nutritional balance and periodontal inflammation is much less explored. This review is focused on the potential mechanistic links between periodontal diseases and obesity and common inflammatory activity pathways that can be pharmacologically targeted.

Role of ferroptosis-related genes in periodontitis based on integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background

Cell survival or death is one of the key scientific issues of inflammatory response. To regulate cell death during the occurrence and development of periodontitis, various forms of programmed cell death, such as pyroptosis, ferroptosis, necroptosis, and apoptosis, have been proposed. It has been found that ferroptosis characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation is involved in cancer, degenerative brain diseases and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, NCOA4 is considered one of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) contributing to butyrate-induced cell death in the periodontitis. This research aims to analyze the expression of FRGs in periodontitis tissues and to explore the relationship between ferroptosis and periodontitis.

Method

Genes associated with periodontitis were retrieved from two Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. Then, we normalized microarray data and removed the batch effect using the R software. We used R to convert the mRNA expression data and collected the expression of FRGs. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), transcription factor (TF) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were used. In addition, we constructed a receiver operating characteristic curve and obtained relative mRNA expression verified by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

Eight and 10 FRGs related to periodontitis were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. GO analysis showed that FRGs were enriched in the regulation of glutathione biosynthetic, glutamate homeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum-nucleus signaling pathway. The top TFs included CEBPB, JUND, ATF2. Based on the PPI network analysis, FRGs were mainly linked to the negative regulation of IRE1-mediated unfolded protein response, regulation of type IIa hypersensitivity, and regulation of apoptotic cell clearance. The expression levels of NCOA4, SLC1A5 and HSPB1 using PCR were significantly different between normal gingival samples and periodontitis samples. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of FRGs for periodontitis were “Good”.

Conclusions

We found significant associations between FRGs and periodontitis. The present study not only provides a new possible pathomechanism for the occurrence of periodontitis but also offers a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis.

Relationship between chronic periodontitis and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the correlation between serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of inflammatory cytokines and the association with periodontal parameters in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and healthy control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who were undergoing MHD were enrolled as the MHD group. Healthy individuals who underwent oral examination were selected as the control group after matching for the MHD group. All participants underwent a full-mouth periodontal evaluation, and the levels of eight inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-17, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), and C-reactive protein (CRP), in the GCF and serum were measured.

RESULTS

A total of 63 MHD patients and 75 healthy persons were included. The prevalence of moderate/severe periodontitis was significantly higher in the MHD group than in the control group (88.9 vs. 66.7%, P < 0.05). The GCF levels of CRP, TNF-α, MCP-1, and MMP-8 were higher in patients in the MHD group with moderate/severe periodontitis than in the control group (P < 0.05). Serum CRP, MCP-1, TNF-α, and MMP-8 levels were positively correlated with the GCF CRP levels (P < 0.05). The GCF and serum CRP levels were positively correlated with the periodontal clinical parameters (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum CRP, MCP-1, TNF-α, and MMP-8 may relate with the GCF CRP levels. The GCF and serum CRP levels correlated positively with the periodontal clinical parameters, including the VPI, PPD, and CAL, indicating that CRP may play an important role between periodontitis and ESRD.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The present study indicated that GCF and serum CRP levels correlated positively with the periodontal clinical parameters, and the CRP levels may be selected as an indicator to evaluate the severity of inflammation and the effectiveness, prognosis of periodontal treatment in ESRD patients.

Circ_0062491 alleviates LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation in periodontitis by regulating miR-498/SOCS6 axis

Periodontitis is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been revealed to play roles in the inflammatory response. Hence, this work aimed to explore the role and mechanism of circ_0062491 in periodontitis progression. Human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) were isolated from the periodontal ligament (PDL) of the healthy teeth with orthodontic requirement after tooth extraction. In vitro experiments were conducted by cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, flow cytometry, Western blot, and ELISA to determine cell viability, apoptosis, and inflammatory response. The binding between miR-498 and circ_0062491 or SOCS6 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Circ_0062491 expression was decreased in periodontitis and LPS-induced PDLCs. Restoration of circ_0062491 attenuated LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation in PDLCs in vitro. Mechanistically, circ_0062491 functioned as a sponge for miR-498, and miR-498 directly targeted SOCS6. Rescue experiments showed that miR-498 up-regulation reversed the protective action of circ_0062491 on PDLCs under LPS treatment. Moreover, silencing of miR-498 protected PDLCs from LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation, which were abolished by SOCS6 knockdown. Circ_0062491 protected PDLCs from LPS-induced apoptosis and inflammation, suggesting a new target for the amelioration of periodontitis patients.

Periodontal Pathogens: A Crucial Link Between Periodontal Diseases and Oral Cancer

Emerging evidence shows a striking link between periodontal diseases and various human cancers including oral cancer. And periodontal pathogens, leading to periodontal diseases development, may serve a crucial role in oral cancer. This review elucidated the molecular mechanisms of periodontal pathogens in oral cancer. The pathogens directly engage in their own unique molecular dialogue with the host epithelium to acquire cancer phenotypes, and indirectly induce a proinflammatory environment and carcinogenic substance in favor of cancer development. And functional, rather than compositional, properties of oral microbial community correlated with cancer development are discussed. The effect of periodontal pathogens on periodontal diseases and oral cancer will further detail the pathogenesis of oral cancer and intensify the need of maintaining oral hygiene for the prevention of oral diseases including oral cancer.

Oral fluid immunological characteristics in children with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative defect

Relevance. The lack of anatomical differentiation between the oral cavity and the nasal cavity in children with congenital cleft palate leads to the deterioration of saliva characteristics affecting dental and periodontal disease progression. The oral fluid immunological profile may provide information about the nature of the inflammatory processes and changes in the reaction to the ongoing therapy.

Material and methods. The article presents the results of the oral fluid enzyme immunoassay in 109 children aged 6-12 years with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative defect and in 50 practically healthy children of the same age. The study determined the levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines and secretory immunoglobulin sIgA in the oral fluid by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results. The study of children aged 6-12 years with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative defect revealed hyperstimulation of oral fluid pro-inflammatory (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines and a decrease in secretory immunoglobulin sIgA mean level.

Conclusion. The oral fluid immunological complexes imbalance in children with congenital cleft palate and a postoperative residual defect is a progressive factor for the development and chronicity of oral inflammatory diseases.

The received data evidence the local inflammatory process and a decrease in the oral fluid local protective factors, which one must consider to develop methods for improving the condition of organs and tissues of the oral cavity in children with congenital cleft palate during preparation for surgery to eliminate the residual defect.

Abnormal Micronutrient Intake Is Associated with the Risk of Periodontitis: A Dose-response Association Study Based on NHANES 2009-2014

The association between micronutrient intake and the risk of periodontitis has received much attention in recent years. However, most studies focused on the linear relationship between them. This study aimed to explore the dose-response association between micronutrient intake and periodontitis. A total of 8959 participants who underwent a periodontal examination, and reported their micronutrient intake levels were derived from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2009-2014) database. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations between micronutrient intake and periodontitis after propensity score matching (PSM), and restricted cubic splines (RCS) analysis was conducted to explore the dose-response associations. Following PSM, 5530 participants were included in the RCS analysis. The risk of periodontitis was reduced with sufficient intake of the following micronutrients: vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin E. In addition, the risk of periodontitis was increased with excessive intake of the following micronutrients: vitamin B1 (1.8 mg/day, males; 1.3 mg/day, females), vitamin C (90 mg/day, males), and copper (1.1 mg/day, combined). In conclusion, a linear association was found between vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin C, and copper and periodontitis-namely, a sufficient intake of vitamin A and vitamin B2 might help reduce the prevalence of periodontitis; by contrast, a high intake of vitamin C and copper increased the risk. In addition, a nonlinear dose-response association was found for the incidence of periodontitis with vitamin B1 and vitamin E. When within reasonable limits, supplemental intake helped reduce the prevalence of periodontitis, while excessive intake did not help significantly and might even increase the risk. However, confounding factors, such as health awareness, should still be considered.

Periodontal and Peri-Implant Health Status in Traditional vs. Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco and Electronic Cigarettes Smokers: A Systematic Review

The aim of the present systematic review was to evaluate and possibly differentiate the effects of traditional cigarettes, heat-not-burn tobacco, and electronic cigarettes on periodontal and peri-implant health status. Electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco have become very popular in recent years and have been proposed to consumers as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco smoke, although their effect on periodontal and peri-implant health remains unclear. The study protocol was developed according to PRISMA guidelines, and the focus question was formulated according to the PICO strategy. A literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE and the COCHRANE library from 2003 to April 2022. From the 1935 titles initially identified, 18 articles were finally included in the study and extracted data were qualitatively synthesized. It may be carefully concluded that e-cigarettes may cause attenuated clinical inflammatory signs of periodontitis and, hypothetically, of peri-implantitis when compared to conventional tobacco smoke. Both alternative smoking products, containing nicotine, may likewise exert negative effects on periodontal and peri-implant health, as demonstrated by in vitro studies. Further investigations are needed to assess the impact of electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products on periodontal and peri-implant health status.

Oral and Dental Considerations of Combat-Induced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)-A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study compared dental, periodontal, oral, and joint/muscle tenderness among Israeli combat-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (Ci-PTSD) war veterans to non-PTSD patients. Study design: This retrospective three-arm study compared oral and facial manifestations between 100 Israeli veterans with Ci- PTSD (study group) and 103 non-PTSD periodontal patients (Control group). The study group was further divided into two subgroups of individuals who received psychiatric medications (40 patients) or did not (60 patients). All patients underwent complete dental, oral, and periodontal examinations, including assessing signs of parafunction. Results: All PTSD patients had poor oral hygiene. The plaque index (PI) was higher in the PTSD group compared to the control group (0.72 ± 0.28 vs. 0.45 ± 0.29, respectively, p < 0.001). The decayed, missing, and filled teeth score (DMFt) was higher in the PTSD population than in the controls (19.97 ± 8.07 vs. 13.05 ± 6.23 p < 0.05). Severe periodontal disease was more common among the PTSD subgroup taking medications (med -group) (62.5%) compared to the nonmedicated group (non-med group) (30.0%) and the controls (27.2%) (p = 0.001). Heavy smoking was more prevalent in the medicated PTSD patients than in other groups. Conclusions: The present study shows higher morbidities in combat-induced PTSD patients, including oral, dental, and periodontal manifestations, especially in medicated patients.

Connecting the Human Microbiome and Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a deadly disease that is increasing in incidence throughout the world. There are no clear causal factors associated with the incidence of pancreatic cancer; however, some correlation to smoking, diabetes and alcohol has been described. Recently, a few studies have linked the human microbiome (oral and gastrointestinal tract) to pancreatic cancer development. A perturbed microbiome has been shown to alter normal cells while promoting cancer-related processes such as increased cell signaling, immune system evasion and invasion. In this article, we will review in detail the alterations within the gut and oral microbiome that have been linked to pancreatic cancer and explore the ability of other microbiomes, such as the lung and skin microbiome, to contribute to disease development. Understanding ways to identify a perturbed microbiome can result in advancements in pancreatic cancer research and allow for prevention, earlier detection and alternative treatment strategies for patients.

Retrospective analysis of the effects of non-communicable diseases on periodontitis treatment outcomes

PURPOSE

We retrospectively analysed patients' dental and periodontal status according to the presence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the effects of NCDs on periodontal treatment outcomes. Factors influencing disease recurrence were investigated using decision tree analysis.

METHODS

We analysed the records of patients who visited the Department of Periodontology, Pusan National University Dental Hospital from June 2014 to October 2019. As baseline subjects, 1,362 patients with periodontitis and who underwent full-mouth periodontal examinations before periodontal treatment were selected. Among them, 321 patients who underwent periodontal examinations after the completion of periodontal treatment and 143 who continued to participate in regular maintenance were followed-up.

RESULTS

Forty-three percent of patients had a NCD. Patients without NCDs had more residual teeth and lower sum of the number of total decayed, missing, filled teeths (DMFT) scores. There was no difference in periodontal status according to NCD status. Patients with a NCD showed significant changes in the plaque index after periodontal treatment. The decision tree model analysis demonstrated that osteoporosis affected the recurrence of periodontitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of residual teeth and DMFT index differed according to the presence of NCDs. Patients with osteoporosis require particular attention to prevent periodontitis recurrence.

Hormonal Fluctuations and Periodontal Status in Postmenopausal Women

Introduction. While the short-term effects of hormonal events on gingival inflammation have been well described, their long-term effects on the periodontium have received less attention. Our investigation was aimed at evaluating the correlation between hormonal fluctuations and periodontal status in postmenopausal women from the profile of the Rafsanjan Cohort Study. Material and Methods. We used the data obtained from the profile of the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS) as a part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in Iran (PERSIAN). The RCS includes 10,000 participants aged 35–70 years old. Among this population, the periodontal status data of 4143 women were available. Of these 4,143, the postmenopausal women were included in the study, and those who had a history of gingival treatment during the past 6 months were excluded from the study. Finally, 928 postmenopausal women were included in the present study. Periodontal status was assessed by measuring the clinical attachment loss, pocket depth, and bleeding on probing (BOP). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were applied using three different models. Results. The results showed that 53.2% of postmenopausal women had periodontitis. There were significant differences between the participants with and without periodontitis in brushing frequency and educational status $\left(P<0.05\right)$ . After adjusting for all potential confounders, no correlation was found between hormonal fluctuations and periodontal status. Conclusion. There was no correlation between hormonal fluctuations and periodontal status.

Association of type 2 diabetes with periodontitis and tooth loss in patients undergoing hemodialysis

BACKGROUND

Limited evidence are available regarding the influence of diabetes on periodontitis in hemodialysis patients, although the association between diabetes and periodontal disease is well-known.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and its control level on periodontal disease and the number of missing teeth in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 246 Japanese patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. Comprehensive medical and dental examinations were performed. The association between severity of periodontitis and T2D was examined by multiple ordered logistic regression analysis. A multiple linear regression model was fitted to assess the association of periodontal probing depth (PPD) ≥4 mm and the number of missing teeth with T2D (n = 125). A subgroup analysis involving only the patients with T2D was performed to investigate the factors associated with missing teeth among them.

RESULTS

After adjusting for confounders, the classification of periodontitis severity was significantly advanced in patients with T2D (odds ratio: 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-2.65, p = 0.04). The proportion of PPD≥4 mm sites and the number of missing teeth was significantly associated with T2D (coefficient: 4.1 and 5.7, 95% CI: 0.2-8.0 and 3.4-8.0, p = 0.04 and <0.001, respectively). Subgroup analysis of T2D patients revealed that glycoalbumin levels (coefficient: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03-0.80, p = 0.03), but not hemoglobin A1c levels (coefficient: 0.8, 95% CI: -1.0-2.7, p = 0.37), were significantly associated with the number of missing teeth.

CONCLUSION

T2D was significantly associated with periodontitis and the number of missing teeth in hemodialysis patients. Moreover, it is first documented that poor glycemic control, as determined by glycoalbumin levels, was significantly associated with the number of missing teeth in hemodialysis patients with T2D.

Vitamin C and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake Is Associated with Human Periodontitis-A Nested Case-Control Study

Vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids (Ω3FA) modulate periodontitis-associated inflammatory processes. The aim of the current investigation was to evaluate associations of oral nutrient intake and corresponding serum metabolites with clinical severity of human periodontitis. Within the Food Chain Plus cohort, 373 periodontitis patients—245 without (POL) and 128 with tooth loss (PWL)—were matched to 373 controls based on sex, smoking habit, age and body mass index in a nested case-control design. The amount of oral intake of vitamins and Ω3FAs was assessed from nutritional data using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. Oral intake and circulatory bioavailability of vitamins and Ω3FA serum metabolomics were compared, using ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Periodontitis patients exhibited a significantly higher oral intake of vitamin C and Ω3FA Docosapentaenoic acid (p < 0.05) compared to controls. Nutritional intake of vitamin C was higher in PWL, while the intake of Docosapentaenoic acid was increased in POL (p < 0.05) compared to controls. In accordance, serum levels of Docosapentaenoic acid were also increased in POL (p < 0.01) compared to controls. Vitamin C and the Ω3FA Docosapentaenoic acid might play a role in the pathophysiology of human periodontitis. Further studies on individualized nutritional intake and periodontitis progression and therapy are necessary.

Analysis of senescence in gingival tissues and gingival fibroblast cultures

Objective

To determine senescence‐associated changes in the gingival tissues of aged mice and gingival fibroblast cultures.

Materials and Methods

The production of senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐β‐gal) and mRNA expression of p16, p21, interleukin (IL)‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) were evaluated in gingival tissues, gingival fibroblasts of 10‐ and 20‐month‐old C57BL/6NCrl mice, and multiple‐passaged and hydrogen peroxide‐stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Changes in molecular expression in HGF cultures due to senescent cell elimination by the senolytic drug ABT‐263 (Navitoclax) were analyzed.

Results

Compared to 10‐week‐old mice, the 20‐month‐old mice had higher numbers of M1 macrophages. The proportion of cells expressing SA‐β‐gal were also higher in 20‐ month‐old mice than in 10‐week‐old‐mice. Gingival fibroblasts in 20‐month‐old mice expressed less collagen 1a1, collagen 4a1, and collagen 4a2 mRNA than those in 10‐week‐old mice. Compared to control cells, H2O2 treated HGF cells expressed higher levels of SA‐β‐gal and p16, p21, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α. Furthermore, ABT‐263 suppressed HGF cell expression of cytokines after senescence induction.

Conclusions

Senescence‐associated changes were observed in the gingival tissues of aged mice and HGF cultures. In addition, the potential of senolytic drugs to modify aging‐related changes in the gingiva was shown.

Outside the limits of bacterial viability: postbiotics in the management of periodontitis

Periodontitis is a major cause of tooth loss in adults worldwide and is caused by an unbalanced oral microbiota in a susceptible host, ultimately leading to tissue breakdown and bone loss. Traditionally, the treatment for periodontitis is scaling and root planing; however, some cases require adjuvant therapy, such as antibiotics administration or surgery. Various factors are involved in the pathogenesis and interact in an unpredictable way, increasing the complexity of the disease and making it difficult to manage. In this context, the administration of probiotics aimed at resolving bacterial dysbiosis and the associated dysregulation of the immune system has been employed in clinical trials with encouraging results. However, the use of viable microorganisms is not risk-free, and immunocompromised patients may develop adverse effects. Therefore, the use of inactivated microbial cells, cell fractions, or soluble products and metabolites of probiotics, known as postbiotics, has gained increasing attention. In this commentary, we present the current literature assessing the impact of postbiotics on the growth and metabolism of periodontal pathogens, as well as on the progression of periodontitis in rodents and humans. We also discuss the limitations of the available data and what the scientific community should consider in order to transfer this innovative therapeutic modality from the bench to the bedside.

Metabolomics Research in Periodontal Disease by Mass Spectrometry

Periodontology is a newer field relative to other areas of dentistry. Remarkable progress has been made in recent years in periodontology in terms of both research and clinical applications, with researchers worldwide now focusing on periodontology. With recent advances in mass spectrometry technology, metabolomics research is now widely conducted in various research fields. Metabolomics, which is also termed metabolomic analysis, is a technology that enables the comprehensive analysis of small-molecule metabolites in living organisms. With the development of metabolite analysis, methods using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry, etc. have progressed, making it possible to analyze a wider range of metabolites and to detect metabolites at lower concentrations. Metabolomics is widely used for research in the food, plant, microbial, and medical fields. This paper provides an introduction to metabolomic analysis and a review of the increasing applications of metabolomic analysis in periodontal disease research using mass spectrometry technology.

A brief review of vitamin D as a potential target for the regulation of blood glucose and inflammation in diabetes-associated periodontitis

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder associated with various complications, including periodontitis. The risk of periodontitis is increased in patients with diabetes, while vitamin D deficiency is associated with both diabetes and periodontitis. Thus, there is a need to identify the molecular effects of vitamin D on the regulation of inflammation and glucose in diabetes-associated periodontitis. The Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases were searched for studies of the molecular effects of vitamin D. Molecular effects were reportedly mediated by salivary secretions, interactions of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) with receptors of AGEs (RAGEs), cytokines, and oxidative stress pathways linking diabetes with periodontitis. Vitamin D supplementation attenuates inflammation in diabetes-associated periodontitis by reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and numbers of immune cells; it also has antibacterial effects. Vitamin D reduces cytokine levels through regulation of the extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 and Toll-like receptor 1/2 pathways, along with the suppression of interleukin expression. Glucose homeostasis is altered in diabetes either because of reduced insulin production or decreased insulin sensitivity. These vitamin D-related alterations of glucoregulatory factors may contribute to hyperglycaemia; hyperglycaemia may also lead to alterations of glucoregulatory factors. This review discusses the pathways involved in glucose regulation and effects of vitamin D supplementation on glucose regulation. Further studies are needed to characterise the effects of vitamin D on diabetes-associated periodontitis.

Are Inflamed Periodontal Tissues Endogenous Source of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) in Individuals with and without Diabetes Mellitus? A Systematic Review

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are heterogeneous compounds formed when excess sugars condense with the amino groups of nucleic acids and proteins. Increased AGEs are associated with insulin resistance and poor glycemic control. Recently, inflamed periodontal tissues and certain oral bacteria were observed to increase the local and systemic AGE levels in both normoglycemic and hyperglycemic individuals. Although hyperglycemia induced AGE and its effect on the periodontal tissues is known, periodontitis as an endogenous source of AGE formation is not well explored. Hence, this systematic review is aimed to explore, for the first time, whether inflamed periodontal tissues and periodontal pathogens have the capacity to modulate AGE levels in individuals with or without T2DM and how this affects the glycemic load. Six electronic databases were searched using the following keywords: (Periodontitis OR Periodontal disease OR Periodontal Inflammation) AND (Diabetes mellitus OR Hyperglycemia OR Insulin resistance) AND Advanced glycation end products. The results yielded 1140 articles, of which 13 articles were included for the review. The results showed that the mean AGE levels in gingival crevicular fluid was higher in individuals with diabetes mellitus and periodontitis (521.9 pg/mL) compared to healthy individuals with periodontitis (234.84 pg/mL). The serum AGE levels in normoglycemic subjects having periodontitis was higher compared to those without periodontitis (15.91 ng/mL vs. 6.60 ng/mL). Tannerella forsythia, a common gram-negative anaerobe periodontal pathogen in the oral biofilm, was observed to produce methylglyoxal (precursor of AGE) in the gingival tissues. Increased AGE deposition and activate of AGE receptors was noted in the presence of periodontitis in both normoglycemic and hyperglycemic individuals. Hence, it can be concluded that periodontitis can modulate the local and systemic levels of AGE levels even in absence of hyperglycemia. This explains the bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and development of prediabetes, incident diabetes, poor glycemic control, and insulin resistance.

Alcohol Intake Influences the Occurrence and Progression of Periodontitis Differently According to Sex and Country Sociodemographic Development: A Two-Stage Systematic Review

AIMS

To conduct an overview and systematic evaluation of prospective cohort studies on whether alcohol intake is associated with the incidence and progression of periodontitis.

METHODS

Nine databases were searched by two independent reviewers up to November 2021 according to prespecified eligibility criteria. Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews and Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions were used for risk of bias assessment and certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Random-effects pair-wise meta-analyses were performed with data from cohort studies on the effects of higher levels of alcohol intake compared with current non-drinking to determine risk ratios (RR) and confidence intervals of periodontitis.

RESULTS

The four systematic reviews were at high risk of bias and concluded that alcohol intake is associated with periodontitis regardless of the study design. Five reports from seven cohort studies contributed to the meta-analyses and no statistically significant differences were found for higher levels of consumption regarding the risk of periodontitis, except for men from countries with low- and high-middle socio-demographic index (RR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.46), with low certainty evidence.

CONCLUSION

Higher levels of alcohol consumption seem to be part of the causal mechanism of periodontitis when cooccurring with male sex in underdeveloped countries. No conclusion can be drawn regarding alcohol use disorders or patterns of consumption.

Oral Health Status in Marfan Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 353 Cases

This meta-analysis aimed to compare Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients with non-MFS populations based on orofacial health status to combine publicly available scientific information while also improving the validity of primary study findings. A comprehensive search was performed in the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science, for articles published between 1 January 2000 and 17 February 2022. PRISMA guidelines were followed to carry out this systematic review. We used the PECO system to classify people with MFS based on whether or not they had distinctive oral health characteristics compared to the non-MFS population. The following are some examples of how PECO is used: P denotes someone who has MFS; E stands for a medical or genetic assessment of MFS; C stands for people who do not have MFS; and O stands for the orofacial characteristics of MFS. Using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale, independent reviewers assessed the articles' methodological quality and extracted data. Four case-control studies were analyzed for meta-analysis. Due to the wide range of variability, we were only able to include data from at least three previous studies. There was a statistically significant difference in bleeding on probing and pocket depth between MFS and non-MFS subjects. MFS patients are more prone to periodontal tissue inflammation due to the activity of FBN1 and MMPs. Early orthodontic treatment is beneficial for the correction of a narrow upper jaw and a high palate, as well as a skeletal class II with retrognathism of the lower jaw and crowding of teeth.

The inverse association between a fish consumption biomarker and gingival inflammation and periodontitis: A population-based study

AIM

The metabolite 3-carboxy-4-methyl-5-propyl-2-furanpropionic acid (CMPF) is a fatty fish-intake biomarker. We investigated the association between plasma levels of CMPF in relation to gingival inflammation and periodontitis case definition, as well as the extent and severity variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Malmö Offspring Study is a population-based study, and the Malmö Offspring Dental Study (MODS) is its dental arm, including periodontal charting. Plasma CMPF was measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and studied in relation to periodontal diagnosis and parameters using multivariable linear or logistic regression modelling adjusting for age, sex, education, body mass index, fasting glucose, and smoking.

RESULTS

Metabolite data were available for 922 MODS participants. Higher CMPF levels were associated with less gingival inflammation (β = -2.12, p = .002) and lower odds of severe periodontitis (odds ratio [OR] = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.56 to 0.98). Higher CMPF levels were also associated with more teeth (β = 0.19, p = .001), lower number of periodontal pockets (≥4 mm) (β = -1.07, p = .007), and lower odds of having two or more periodontal pockets of ≥6 mm (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.98) in fully adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS

CMPF, a validated biomarker of fatty fish consumption, is associated with less periodontal inflammation and periodontitis. Residual confounding cannot be ruled out, and future studies are warranted.

Circulating vitamin C and D concentrations and risk of dental caries and periodontitis: A Mendelian randomization study

AIM

This Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to explore the causal relationship among circulating vitamin C and D levels, dental caries, and periodontitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MR analyses were conducted with the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, weighted median, MR-Egger approaches, and MR-robust adjusted profile score method to assess the causal relationships between circulating vitamin C and D concentrations and dental caries, the number of remaining natural permanent teeth in the mouth (N teeth), and periodontitis.

RESULTS

We found potential causal association of circulating vitamin D concentrations with N teeth (β = 0.085; 95% confidence interval: 0.019 to 0.150; p = .012) based on the IVW method. No significant causal relationship between circulating vitamin D levels and dental caries and periodontitis was observed. Similarly, no evidence supported a causal relationship between circulating vitamin C concentrations and the risk of dental caries, N teeth, and periodontitis.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no obvious evidence suggesting a causal relationship among circulating vitamin D, dental caries, and periodontitis, drawing into question the mechanism for any association with N teeth. Additionally, there is insufficient power to detect small effects in vitamin C levels and caries and periodontitis.

Fractal properties and radiomorphometric indices of the trabecular structure of the mandible in patients using systemic glucocorticoids

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the mandibular trabecular and cortical bone structure of patients using systemic glucocorticoid (GC) and compare to control group with the fractal analysis (FA) and radiomorphometric indices.

METHODS

Two researchers retrospectively investigated 192 dental panoramic radiographs to compare individuals using systemic GCs to healthy controls. FA was performed in 4 different regions; geometrical center of the mandibular ramus (ROI1), cancellous bone on supracortical mandibular angle area inferior to the mandibular canal (ROI2), cancellous bone on mesial to the mental foramen (ROI3), basal cortical bone extending mental foramen to the first molars' distal root in the mandibular corpus (ROI4). Panoramic mandibular index (PMI), mandibular cortical width (MCW) and mandibular cortical index (MCI) were performed for evaluate cortical thickness and porosity. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine the normal distribution of the data, the independent t test for comparison of values and the chi-square test for descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences in ROI4 and MCW. The fractal dimension (FD) values in ROI4 and MCW were significantly lower in study group. There were no significant differences in FD values in ROI1, ROI2, ROI3 and PMI and MCI measurements between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

FA and radiomorphometric measurements is an efficient method to detect early changes in bone mass. In our study, ROI4 and MCW were significantly lower in study group. Osteoporosis prevention should be considered in patients using systemic GCs.

The Effect of an Optimized Diet as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy in Subjects with Periodontitis: A Prospective Study

Diet and nutrition are generally categorized as modifiable lifestyle risk factors for the development of periodontal disease because diet may influence a person’s inflammatory status. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the application of a diet plan focused on reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in treating periodontitis. Subjects suffering from periodontitis were divided into two groups. Both groups underwent non-surgical periodontal therapy, and in the optimized diet (OD) group, this treatment was associated with a diet plan. The sample consisted of 60 subjects; 32 (53%) were treated in the non-optimized diet group (ND group) and 28 (47%) in the OD group. In both groups, the periodontal treatment significantly improved the recorded periodontal outcomes between T0 and T1 (FMPS, FMBS, CAL, PPD). Inter-group differences were not statistically significant (p < 0.05). The linear regression models showed that the optimized diet was associated with a higher reduction in PPD and FMBS after the treatment, while patients who had higher LDL levels (over 100 mg/mL) had a less favorable improvement of PPD. The application of an improved diet plan can increase the reduction in PPD and FMBS after non-surgical periodontal therapy when compared with periodontal treatment alone.

Periodontitis-Related Knowledge and Its Relationship with Oral Health Behavior among Adult Patients Seeking Professional Periodontal Care

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that not only damages the stomatognathic system, but may also adversely influence other systems and organs. Patients with low oral health literacy levels are more prone to gingivitis/periodontitis and have a more severe disease course. Methods: A written questionnaire was carried out to assess the knowledge of patients of the Outpatient Clinic of Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland. The questions concerned knowledge regarding the causes of periodontal disease, its risk factors, and the connection between periodontal disease and general health status. To analyze the population, patients were divided according to gender, age and if they were first-time or regular outpatients. Results: Written questionnaires were completed by a total of 302 patients. In the studied population, we noted knowledge deficits, particularly related to weaker periodontal disease risk factors (stress, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity) and the genetic factor, which is the determinant of periodontitis. The patients’ awareness of the role of plaque bacteria and the effect of smoking on the periodontium was at a relatively high level. The respondents were also aware of the impact of periodontal disease on general health as well as the role of oral hygiene in preventing the disease. At the same time, few of them (26%) used interdental brushes or an irrigator (8%). Conclusions: We demonstrated that patients have an insufficient level of knowledge related to risk factors as well as the prevention of periodontal disease. Awareness of the extent of oral health literacy among patients will help to identify key issues connected with health education interventions

Maladaptive trained immunity and clonal hematopoiesis as potential mechanistic links between periodontitis and inflammatory comorbidities

Periodontitis is bidirectionally associated with systemic inflammatory disorders. The prevalence and severity of this oral disease and linked comorbidities increases with aging. Here, we review two newly emerged concepts, trained innate immunity (TII) and clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which together support a potential hypothesis on how periodontitis affects and is affected by comorbidities and why the susceptibility to periodontitis and comorbidities increases with aging. Given that chronic diseases are largely triggered by the action of inflammatory immune cells, modulation of their bone marrow precursors, the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), may affect multiple disorders that emerge as comorbidities. Such alterations in HSPCs can be mediated by TII and/or CHIP, two non-mutually exclusive processes sharing a bias for enhanced myelopoiesis and production of innate immune cells with heightened proinflammatory potential. TII is a state of elevated immune responsiveness based on innate immune (epigenetic) memory. Systemic inflammation can initiate TII in the bone marrow via sustained rewiring of HSPCs, which thereby display a skewing toward the myeloid lineage, resulting in generation of hyper-reactive or "trained" myeloid cells. CHIP arises from aging-related somatic mutations in HSPCs, which confer a survival and proliferation advantage to the mutant HSPCs and give rise to an outsized fraction of hyper-inflammatory mutant myeloid cells in the circulation and tissues. This review discusses emerging evidence that supports the notion that TII and CHIP may underlie a causal and age-related association between periodontitis and comorbidities. A holistic mechanistic understanding of the periodontitis-systemic disease connection may offer novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for treating inflammatory comorbidities.

Relationship between Undernutrition and Periodontal Diseases among a Sample of Yemeni Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Undernutrition is an inadequate supply of energy and nutrients. Periodontal diseases (PDs) are defined as a broad form of chronic inflammatory disease of the gingiva, bone, and ligaments supporting the teeth. This study aimed to reveal the relationship between undernutrition, using body mass index (BMI) and serum albumin level (Alb), and PDs in a sample of Yemeni population. A cross-sectional study was conducted at dental teaching clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry, Sana’a University. Of 1920 patients who attended clinics, only 229 matched the study criteria. Oral examination was performed to assess the periodontal clinical parameter measurements. BMI and Alb were measured. Participants of both genders were involved, with a slight increase in males (n = 134, 58.5%), and most of the study sample was in the age group of 18–35 years (n = 209, 91.3%). Regarding habits, only 18.2% (n = 43) of patients were smokers and about half of the participants (n = 136, 59.4%) were khat chewers. Most cases had mild undernutrition according to BMI (n = 139, 60.7%) and normal Alb level (n = 213, 93%). Regarding the periodontal diagnosis, most of the participants were diagnosed with gingivitis (n = 186, 81.2%). BMI and albumin level were nonsignificantly associated with PDs. PDs were statistically significant with the participant’s age, gender, level of education, and smoking ( $P>0.05$ ). However, BMI, khat chewing, and albumin level were nonsignificant factors of periodontal diseases among Yemeni participants ( $P>0.05$ ). In both genders, variables such as age of the patients, smoking, khat chewing, and PDs were nonsignificantly associated with BMI. This study showed that the majority of the participants had been diagnosed with gingivitis, but there was not an association between PDs and undernutrition. This paper is presented on research square URL // https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-429796/v1 with DOI 10.21203/rs.3.rs-429796/v1.

A20 alleviated caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis and inflammation stimulated by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide and nicotine through autophagy enhancement

Periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss, and patients with smoking habits are at an increased risk of developing periodontitis. A20 (the tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, TNFAIP3) is one of the key regulators of inflammation and cell death in numerous tissues. Emerging researches indicated A20 as a fundamental molecule in the periodontal tissue. This study was to evaluate the role of A20 against cell death and inflammation in periodontitis and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In our study, western blot, autophagy detection, and transmission electron microscopy showed that lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg.LPS) and nicotine (NI) could enhance the activation of autophagy. Pg.LPS and NI induce the pyroptosis of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), as evidenced by the decrease of membrane integrity and the increase of NLRP3, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, caspase-1 activity, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α. Further researches were focused on that A20, an ubiquitin-editing enzyme, was linked to hPDLCs pyroptosis. Overexpression or silencing A20 could diminish or aggravate pyroptosis in hPDLCs by the modulation of autophagy. The above results demonstrated that A20 dictated the cross-talk between pyroptosis and autophagy. Overexpression of A20 enhanced autophagy to reduce pyroptosis, and thus alleviating inflammation, suggesting that A20 may be a potent target in the treatment of periodontitis.

A Cross-Sectional Study for Association between Periodontitis and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Data

Recently, several studies have suggested the relationship between periodontitis and prostatic disease. However, epidemiological studies on the association between periodontitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are scarce. Hence, we aimed to identify the association between the two diseases using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Among the 173,209 participants, 3297 men with periodontitis and 35,292 controls (without periodontitis) were selected. The history of BPH in participants with periodontitis and the controls were also investigated. Two-tailed analyses, independent t-tests, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for BPH was 1.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.35–1.68; p < 0.001) after adjusting for past medical histories. The adjusted OR for BPH was 1.57 (95% confidence interval, 1.41–1.76; p < 0.001) after adjusting for anthropometric and laboratory data. Collectively, this study provides evidence that periodontitis is associated with BPH. This finding supports the use of regular dental checkups and periodontal treatments to reduce the prevalence and progression of BPH.

Association between periodontal condition and blood pressure is confounded by smoking

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of smoking as a confounding factor in the association between periodontal pocketing and blood pressure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

After restriction to 45-64-year-old subjects without hypertension, diabetes, rheumatic diseases, obesity and with no history of cardiovascular diseases or ongoing lipid-lowering medications, the study population consisted of 307 subjects of the Health 2000 Survey in Finland. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (mmHg) were used as outcome variables. Periodontal condition was measured by the number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets. β-estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained from linear regression models. Analyses were made in the whole study population and stratified according to smoking habits/history.

RESULTS

The number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets associated statistically significantly with systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure in the whole study population. Among never-smokers or daily smokers, there were no consistent nor statistically significant associations between the number of teeth with ≥4 mm periodontal pockets and systolic/diastolic blood pressure or pulse pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking appeared to confound the association between periodontal condition and blood pressure. Thorough control for the effect of smoking was not obtained using multivariate models.

Systemic Periodontal Risk Score Using an Innovative Machine Learning Strategy: An Observational Study

Early diagnosis is crucial for individuals who are susceptible to tooth-supporting tissue diseases (e.g., periodontitis) that may lead to tooth loss, so as to prevent systemic implications and maintain quality of life. The aim of this study was to propose a personalized explainable machine learning algorithm, solely based on non-invasive predictors that can easily be collected in a clinic, to identify subjects at risk of developing periodontal diseases. To this end, the individual data and periodontal health of 532 subjects was assessed. A machine learning pipeline combining a feature selection step, multilayer perceptron, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) explainability, was used to build the algorithm. The prediction scores for healthy periodontium and periodontitis gave final F1-scores of 0.74 and 0.68, respectively, while gingival inflammation was harder to predict (F1-score of 0.32). Age, body mass index, smoking habits, systemic pathologies, diet, alcohol, educational level, and hormonal status were found to be the most contributive variables for periodontal health prediction. The algorithm clearly shows different risk profiles before and after 35 years of age and suggests transition ages in the predisposition to developing gingival inflammation or periodontitis. This innovative approach to systemic periodontal disease risk profiles, combining both ML and up-to-date explainability algorithms, paves the way for new periodontal health prediction strategies.

Oral Health Disparities in the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces

INTRODUCTION

In the military, good oral health is essential for combat readiness. The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces (RNAF) Dental Service is responsible for delivering a high standard of dental care to soldiers to ensure that commanding officers can deploy dentally fit troops. Oral health inequalities are associated with lower socioeconomic status. Rank is reflective of social status within the military hierarchy. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in the oral health status of RNAF personnel in relation to ranks and other determinants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All soldiers of the RNAF who underwent a regular dental inspection between January 15, 2018 and February 2, 2018 were enrolled. The decayed, missing, filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index, Dutch Periodontal Screening Index, and Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S) were used to assess their oral health. Dental fitness was categorized. Patients were questioned about their smoking behavior and perception of their oral health. Personnel were divided into the following three groups according to rank: officers, noncommissioned officers (NCOs), and enlisted ranks.

RESULTS

Nine hundred and eighty-four soldiers of the RNAF were included in this study. Enlisted ranks had significantly higher DMFT index and OHI-S scores than officers and NCOs (both P < .001), which was associated with smoking and older age. Enlisted ranks were also significantly more often determined to have unacceptable dental fitness than officers and NCOs after the examination (P = .033). There was also a difference in dental fitness classification between officers and NCOs, but this was not statistically significant (P = .103).

CONCLUSIONS

The lowest ranked military personnel are more frequently classified as dentally unfit for deployment than officers and NCOs due to oral health conditions. This is important when considering the allocation of dental resources to maximize the pool of deployable personnel.

Exogenous progesterone short-termly affects the periodontal environment in perimenopausal women

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exogenous progesterone in the periodontal environment of perimenopausal women.

METHODS

Either with or without periodontitis, 100 perimenopausal women received 3 months of progesterone treatment, as well as age-matched 100 perimenopausal and 100 postmenopausal women without treatments were enrolled (N = 50). The gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and tooth mobility (TM), as well the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were analyzed.

RESULTS

Periodontitis showed higher GI, PD, and CAL than non-periodontitis at perimenopausal and postmenopausal periods. In women without periodontitis, the GI and PD, and the GCF levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased by 3 months of progesterone treatment, but recovered from the 6^th month in the absence of progesterone. In women with periodontitis, only the PD was short-termly increased by progesterone treatment. For those without progesterone treatment, the GI, PD, and TM were not significantly different between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women either with periodontitis or not.

CONCLUSIONS

Exogenous progesterone short-termly exacerbated the inflammation and PD in perimenopausal women without periodontitis, and the PD in those with periodontitis.

The Red and Orange Complex Subgingival Microbiome of Cognitive Impairment and Cognitively Normal Elderly with Periodontitis

Increasing evidence has shown an association between periodontitis and cognitive impairment. Subgingival microbiota play a great role in periodontitis pathogenesis. However, the correlation between the subgingival microbiome and cognitive impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the red and orange complex subgingival microbiome of cognitively impaired and cognitively normal elderly Indonesian subjects with periodontitis. Twenty-eight elderly subjects diagnosed with periodontitis underwent two cognitive examinations using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Gingival crevicular fluid taken from the periodontal pocket, at a depth between 5 and 7 mm, using a paper point was used as the subgingival samples. The subgingival microbiome in the cognitive impairment group (n = 14) and cognitively normal group (n = 14) was compared using the 16S rRNA Metagenomic iSeq™ 100 Sequencing System. There was β-diversity in the subgingival microbiota between the cognitively impaired and cognitively normal subjects. The metagenomic analysis showed a higher abundance of Porphyromonas and Treponema bacteria in the cognitive impairment group than in the normal cognitive group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola was higher in the cognitively impaired elderly subjects. The role of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment needs further investigation.

Oral microbiota and periodontitis severity among Hispanic adults

Background

Periodontitis, one of the most common bacterial infections characterized by chronic inflammation, is also known to be a risk factor for chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. This inflammation is driven by an altered microbiota with an increase in pathogenic bacteria. We evaluated the association between oral microbiota and periodontitis severity in high-risk Hispanics.

Method

This cross-sectional study recruited 134 sexually active participants aged 21 to 49 years old from STI Clinics in Puerto Rico. A periodontal examination, saliva collection, and an interviewer-administered questionnaire were performed. Periodontal severity was categorized as: having no disease, mild, and moderate/severe and BOP and tooth loos was noted. Saliva samples were collected for genomic DNA extraction, downstream 16S rDNA amplification sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses.

Results

The structure, composition, and diversity of bacterial communities differed significantly according to periodontal severity. The richness and overall diversity also differed between participants without periodontitis and participants with some level of periodontal disease. A higher abundance of Prevotella, Veillonella, or Treponema was attributed to periodontal disease and Aggregatibacter to severe bleeding on probing, while Neisseria was found in higher abundance in healthy participants, decreasing its levels with drinking, smoking, and oral sex practices.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that dysbiosis occurs as periodontal disease progresses, and both alcohol consumption and smoking habits pose risk factors for oral dysbiosis. These results are of public health and clinical impact, as several bacteria identified could serve in the future as biomarkers for periodontitis and oral cancer risk.

Features of microbiocenosis and production of hydrogen peroxide by gum symbionts in adolescents with catarrhal gingivitis and chronic gastroduodenitis

Introduction. The key links in the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal tissue diseases are the quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the microflora of the oral cavity, with the simultaneous deterioration of oral hygiene, and reduction of local and general immunity, which occurs more often in the presence of somatic diseases. Aims. The aim of the paper was to study the features of the microbiocenosis of periodontal tissues and the production of hydrogen peroxide by gum symbionts in adolescents with catarrhal gingivitis and chronic gastroduodenitis. Methods. The condition of the microbiocenosis of the gums of 83 adolescents from 12 to 18 years, which was divided into groups depending on the diagnosed catarrhal gingivitis and chronic gastroduodenitis, was studied. Bacteriological examination was performed to isolate pure cultures of microorganisms and to identify them according to generally accepted microbiological methods. The ability of the selected cultures to produce hydrogen peroxide was studied on an indicator medium with potassium-iodine-starch system, by the iodometric method. Results. The results of microbiological studies showed significant changes in qualitative and quantitative indicators of the microbiocenosis of the gingival mucosa in the affected area of patients with gingivitis, compared with dentally and somatically healthy individuals in the control group. In the group of clinically healthy adolescents, hydrogen peroxide producers were found on the mucous membrane of the gums only in 5.0 ± 1.15% of the examinees. In catarrhal gingivitis, hydrogen peroxide producers were found in 52.4 ± 2.4 % of the examined main group subjects (p < 0.01) and in the 50.0 ± 2.5 % of the examined comparison group subjects (p < 0.01). Conclusion. Among adolescents with catarrhal gingivitis, which occurs on the background of chronic gastroduodenitis, there were more pronounced quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiocenosis of the gums. The hydrogen peroxide produced by them can act as an additional damaging factor in the pathogenesis of the inflammatory process of the gingival area.

Impact of Liability to Periodontitis on Glycemic Control and Type II Diabetes Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Study

While the association of periodontitis with Type II diabetes (T2DM) is well-established, the causal relationship remains uncertain. We examined the causal association of periodontitis with glycemic traits (HbA1c, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin) and T2DM using Mendelian randomization (MR) taking advantage of large genome-wide association studies of European and East Asian adults, i.e., the UK Biobank (n ≈ 350,000) (HbA1c), trans-ancestral MAGIC (HbA1c, fasting glucose, and insulin), and DIAMANTE (74,124 cases/824,006 controls), and AGEN for T2DM in Europeans and East Asians, respectively. Periodontitis was instrumented using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), strongly and independently predicting liability to periodontitis in each ancestry group. SNP-specific Wald estimates were combined using inverse variance weighting. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the weighted median and MR-Egger with meta-analysis of MR estimates for Europeans and East Asians. Genetically instrumented liability to periodontitis was not associated with glycemic traits or T2DM in either ancestry or when ancestry specific estimates were meta-analyzed. Our findings do not support a causal association of liability to periodontitis with glycemic traits or T2DM. However, further research is required confirming these findings among other racial/ethnic groups, especially groups who carry a heavy burden of both periodontitis and T2DM.

Gut-Bone Axis: A Non-Negligible Contributor to Periodontitis

Periodontitis is a polymicrobial infectious disease characterized by alveolar bone loss. Systemic diseases or local infections, such as diabetes, postmenopausal osteoporosis, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease, promote the development and progression of periodontitis. Accumulating evidences have revealed the pivotal effects of gut microbiota on bone health via gut-alveolar-bone axis. Gut pathogens or metabolites may translocate to distant alveolar bone via circulation and regulate bone homeostasis. In addition, gut pathogens can induce aberrant gut immune responses and subsequent homing of immunocytes to distant organs, contributing to pathological bone loss. Gut microbial translocation also enhances systemic inflammation and induces trained myelopoiesis in the bone marrow, which potentially aggravates periodontitis. Furthermore, gut microbiota possibly affects bone health via regulating the production of hormone or hormone-like substances. In this review, we discussed the links between gut microbiota and periodontitis, with a particular focus on the underlying mechanisms of gut-bone axis by which systemic diseases or local infections contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Association between asthma and periodontitis in the US adult population: A population-based observational epidemiological study

AIM

To examine the association between asthma and periodontitis in a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data obtained from 10,710 adult men and women who participated in National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey from 2009 to 2014 were analysed. Asthma was measured based on self-reported physician diagnosis. Periodontitis was the outcome of interest. It was classified into mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis according to the updated CDC/AAP case definitions. Multivariable models were developed to examine the association of asthma with periodontitis while controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, education, income, body mass index, diabetes, and smoking. Odds ratio (OR) and respective 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Replication was performed by differently classifying the outcome using another system called periodontal profile class (PPC).

RESULTS

Current asthmatics, in reference to never asthmatics, had lower odds of severe periodontitis [(adjusted OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.30-0.87) and (adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.35-0.97) as classified using CDC/AAP case definitions and PPC system, respectively]. However, there was no statistically significant association between asthma and any other forms of periodontitis (p value >.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the United States, current-asthmatic adults were less likely to have severe periodontitis as compared with never-asthmatic adults. Further research is required to fully understand this association.

Applications of Novel and Nanostructured Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Oral Cavity Diseases

PURPOSE

Novel drug delivery systems (DDSs) hold great promise for the treatment of oral cavity diseases. The main objective of this article was to provide a detailed overview regarding recent advances in the use of novel and nanostructured DDSs in alleviating and treating unpleasant conditions of the oral cavity. Strategies to maximize the benefits of these systems in the treatment of oral conditions and future directions to overcome these issues are also discussed.

METHODS

Publications from the last 10 years investigating novel and nanostructured DDSs for pathologic oral conditions were browsed in a systematic search using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Research on applications of novel DDSs for periodontitis, oral carcinomas, oral candidiasis, xerostomia, lichen planus, aphthous stomatitis, and oral mucositis is summarized. A narrative exploratory review of the most recent literature was undertaken.

FINDINGS

Conventional systemic administration of therapeutic agents could exhibit high clearance of drugs from the bloodstream and low accumulation at the target site. In contrast, conventional topical systems face problems such as short residence time in the affected region and low patient compliance. Novel and nanostructured DDSs are among the most effective and commonly used methods for overcoming the problems of conventional DDSs. The main advantages of these systems are that they possess the ability to protect active agents from systemic and local clearance, enhance bioavailability and cellular uptake, and provide immediate or modified release of therapeutic agents after administration. In the design of local drug delivery devices such as nanofiber mats, films, and patches, components and excipients can significantly affect factors such as drug release rate, residence time in the oral cavity, and taste in the mouth. Choosing appropriate additives is therefore essential.

IMPLICATIONS

Local drug delivery devices such as nanofiber mats, nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels, films, and patches for oral conditions can significantly affect drug efficacy and safety. However, more precise clinical studies should be designed and conducted to confirm promising in vitro and in vivo results. In recent years, novel and nanostructured DDSs increasingly attracted the attention of researchers as a means of treatment and alleviation of oral diseases and unpleasant conditions. However, more clinical studies should be performed to confirm promising in vitro and in vivo results. To transform a successful laboratory model into a marketable product, the long-term stability of prepared formulations is essential. Also, proper scale-up methods with optimum preparation costs should be addressed.

Genome-wide association study of periodontal pocketing in Finnish adults

Background

A genome‐wide association study is an analytical approach that investigates whether genetic variants across the whole genome contribute to disease progression. The aim of this study was to investigate genome-wide associations of periodontal condition measured as deepened periodontal pockets (≥ 4 mm) in Finnish adults.

Methods

This study was based on the data of the national Health 2000 Survey (BRIF8901) in Finland and the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study totalling 3,245 individuals. The genotype data were analyzed using the SNPTEST v.2.4.1. The number of teeth with deepened periodontal pockets (≥ 4 mm deep) was employed as a continuous response variable in additive regression analyses performed separately for the two studies and the results were combined in a meta-analysis applying a fixed effects model.

Results

Genome-wide significant associations with the number of teeth with ≥ 4 mm deep pockets were not found at the p-level of < 5 × 10⁻⁸, while in total 17 loci reached the p-level of 5 × 10⁻⁶. Of the top hits, SNP rs4444613 in chromosome 20 showed the strongest association (p = 1.35 × 10⁻⁷).

Conclusion

No statistically significant genome-wide associations with deepened periodontal pockets were found in this study.

Host Defence Peptides in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients with Periodontal Disease. A Systematic Review

The aim of the study was to critically assess and review the latest evidence relating the associations between host defence peptides (HDPs), periodontal diseases (PD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). To explore studies on HDPs, periodontal disease, and DM2, researchers utilised specific key phrases to search the electronic databases PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Embase (Ovid), Medline (EBSCO), and Dentistry and Oral Sciences (EBSCO). Quality assessment was conducted by means of the Newcastle Ottawa scale and the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool. Following a thorough screening process, a total of 12 papers (4 case-control, 6 cross-sectional, 1 animal, and 1 in vitro) fulfilled the selection criteria and were included. The majority of research found that HDPs were upregulated in DM2 patients with PD. Three investigations, however, found that HDPs were downregulated in DM2 patients with PD. HDPs play a part in the pathophysiology of PD and DM2. Nonetheless, more human, animal and laboratory investigations are needed to fully understand validation of the link, as the evidence is limited. Understanding HDPs as common moderators is critical, aimed at unlocking their potential as therapeutic and diagnostic agents.

Quercetin Preserves Oral Cavity Health by Mitigating Inflammation and Microbial Dysbiosis

Failure to attenuate inflammation coupled with consequent microbiota changes drives the development of bone-destructive periodontitis. Quercetin, a plant-derived polyphenolic flavonoid, has been linked with health benefits in both humans and animals. Using a systematic approach, we investigated the effect of orally delivered Quercetin on host inflammatory response, oral microbial composition and periodontal disease phenotype. In vivo, quercetin supplementation diminished gingival cytokine expression, inflammatory cell infiltrate and alveolar bone loss. Microbiome analyses revealed a healthier oral microbial composition in Quercetin-treated versus vehicle-treated group characterized by reduction in the number of pathogenic species including Enterococcus, Neisseria and Pseudomonas and increase in the number of non-pathogenic Streptococcus sp. and bacterial diversity. In vitro, Quercetin diminished inflammatory cytokine production through modulating NF-κB:A20 axis in human macrophages following challenge with oral bacteria and TLR agonists. Collectively, our findings reveal that Quercetin supplement instigates a balanced periodontal tissue homeostasis through limiting inflammation and fostering an oral cavity microenvironment conducive of symbiotic microbiota associated with health. This proof of concept study provides key evidence for translational studies to improve overall health.