Epigenetics and its implications for oral health

Exploring Epigenetic Mechanisms in Aggressive Periodontitis; Unraveling the Molecular Dynamics of Disease Progression: A Narrative Review

Aggressive periodontitis is an inflammation of the periodontal tissue that usually affects adolescents and young adults aged <30 years, caused by attachment loss and fast bone degradation. The correlation between the epigenetic status and the initiation and progression of numerous acquired diseases was documented. Consequently, targeting epigenetic factors within periodontal tissues stands as an appealing prospect for both the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis. In addition to the role of pathogenic bacteria and their products, alterations in gene expression due to extrinsic and intrinsic factors can cause disturbances in the host's immune response. Epigenetic changes, whether DNA methylation or microRNA (miRNA) dysregulation, can cause changes in gene expression in aggressive periodontitis and lead to more severe and rapid loss of the periodontal tissues. This study aimed to elucidate the relationships between oral hygiene, pathogenic bacteria, and genetics in periodontitis development to promote targeted prevention and treatment for enhanced oral health in individuals at risk of aggressive periodontitis. The method employed in this study entailed a comprehensive review and analysis of scholarly literature on the relationship between epigenetic mechanisms and the development of aggressive periodontitis. In conclusion, epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis through DNA methylation mechanisms that begin with Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cytokine signaling pathways, promoter genes, and progress to pro-inflammatory cells. When periodontal tissue inflammation occurs, miRNA inhibits protein translation from messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), which contributes to its aggressiveness.

Your health is in your mouth: A comprehensive view to promote general wellness

Background

Even though various studies recognize the importance of the oral cavity to have general health, in multidisciplinary professional practice it is almost always excluded and on an individual basis, very commonly neglected. Oral diseases are preventable, still, they are highly prevalent. Although some studies consider oral health within integral health, currently, there is no model in which the mouth is integrated within other levels for the achievement of well-being. The objective of this article was to review the importance of oral health and its connection with well-being and, based on these findings, propose a complex and comprehensive perspective for approach and care.

Methods

The databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar were revised for randomized controlled trials and reviews that included search terms related to oral health and its relationship with the general health in its different levels (physical, psychological, social and environmental).

Results

The review shows that oral health is critical, as the teeth and mouth are not only an integral part of the body, but also, they also support and enable essential human functions. That is, oral health has a multidimensional nature, as it includes the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains that are essential for overall health and well-being. Likewise, the mouth is the psychological seat of the first physiological needs and emotional gratifications, with it we take a taste of the world around us. Thus, the mouth plays an important role in the feeling of unity and in the constitution of the self. Based on these results we propose an integrative model in which the mouth is the first step for well-being and from this integrative model we build a multidisciplinary approach which could be used in the clinical practice for the promotion of oral care and general health.

Conclusion

The effort on the part of oral health professionals is essential for people's well-being and must be integrated as part of health promotion. Dental treatments alone cannot solve this problem, it requires a comprehensive and approach in which the bio-psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental determinants are included to face this global oral health challenge. That is, without a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to medical science that includes dental and oral health, our public policies cannot provide the best answers to health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Oral biosciences: The annual review 2018

BACKGROUND

The Journal of Oral Biosciences is devoted to the advancement and dissemination of fundamental knowledge regarding every aspect of oral biosciences.

HIGHLIGHT

This editorial review features summaries of review articles in the fields of "Bone Biology," "Epigenomics," "Periodontium," and "Amelogenesis" in addition to review articles by winners of the Lion Dental Research Award ("Role of non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways in bone resorption," "Mechanisms of orofacial sensory processing in the rat insular cortex," and "Analysis of the mechanism in salivary gland development using gene database") and the Rising Members Award ("Synergistic findings from microbiological and evolutional analyses of virulence factors among pathogenic streptococcal species" and "Free fatty acids may be involved in the pathogenesis of oral-related and cardiovascular diseases"), presented by the Japanese Association for Oral Biology.

CONCLUSION

These reviews published in the Journal of Oral Biosciences have inspired the readers of the Journal to broaden their knowledge of various aspects in the oral biosciences. This editorial review summarizes these exciting articles.

Role of osteopontin in bone remodeling and orthodontic tooth movement: a review

In this review, most of the known and postulated mechanisms of osteopontin (OPN) and its role in bone remodeling and orthodontic tooth movement are discussed based on available literature. OPN, a multifunctional protein, is considered crucial for bone remodeling, biomineralization, and periodontal remodeling during mechanical tension and stress (orthodontic tooth movement). It contributes to bone remodeling by promoting osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast activity through CD44- and αvβ3-mediated cell signaling. Further, it has a definitive role in bone remodeling by the formation of podosomes, osteoclast survival, and osteoclast motility. OPN has been shown to have a regulatory effect on hydroxyapatite crystal (HAP) growth and potently inhibits the mineralization of osteoblast cultures in a phosphate-dependent manner. Bone remodeling is vital for orthodontic tooth movement. Significant compressive and tensional forces on the periodontium induce the signaling pathways mediated by various osteogenic genes including OPN, bone sialoprotein, Osterix, and osteocalcin. The signaling pathways involved in the regulation of OPN and its effect on the periodontal tissues during orthodontic tooth movement are further discussed in this review. A limited number of studies have suggested the use of OPN as a biomarker to assess orthodontic treatment. Furthermore, the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in OPN coding gene Spp1 with orthodontically induced root resorption remains largely unexplored. Accordingly, future research directions for OPN are outlined in this review.