Patterns of soft drink consumption and primary tooth extractions in Queensland children

A Practical Guide to the Management of Oral Candidiasis in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis Receiving Treatments That Target Interleukin-17

Plaque psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease associated with the dysregulation of cytokines, especially those involved in the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 pathways. In recent years, there has been growing interest in developing biologic therapies that target these pathways. However, inhibition of the cytokines of the IL-23/IL-17 pathways may increase patients' risk of developing fungal infections, particularly oral candidiasis. Therefore, it is important that dermatology practitioners can effectively diagnose and treat oral candidiasis. In this review, we examine the role of the IL-23/IL-17 pathways in antifungal host defense, and provide a practical guide to the diagnosis and treatment of oral candidiasis in patients with psoriasis. Overall, while treatment with anti-IL-17 medications leads to an increased incidence of oral candidiasis in patients with psoriasis, these cases are typically mild or moderate in severity and can be managed with standard antifungal therapy without discontinuing treatment for psoriasis. If applicable, patients with psoriasis should also be advised to practice good oral hygiene and manage or control co-existing diabetes, and should be provided with information on smoking cessation to prevent oral candidiasis.

Relationship between daily habits, Streptococcus mutans, and caries among schoolboys

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between daily habits, Streptococcus mutans, and caries using International Caries Detection and Assessment System Caries Index (ICDAS CI); and compare it to the DMF index.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Altogether 122 children were examined and interviewed. Saliva and plaque samples were collected and analyzed by Dentocult SM(®) Strip Mutans test. ICDAS CI was calculated by counting all ICDAS caries scores of all surfaces divided by total number of carious teeth.

RESULTS

ICDAS CI was significantly (p<0.01) and strongly associated with DMFT/dmft (ρ=0.72), DMFS/dmfs (ρ=0.72), total number of carious teeth (DT/dt) (ρ=0.77), enamel caries surfaces (ρ=0.61) and dentine caries surfaces (ρ=0.75). Plaque S. mutans was significantly (p<0.05) correlated with ICDAS CI and DT/dt. Children who brushed once a day or more had significantly lower ICDAS CI (p<0.01). Children who consumed sweets or drank soft drinks more than once a day had significantly higher ICDAS CI (p<0.05). No significant association was found between ICDAS CI and frequency of flossing, use of mouthrinse, or gum chewing.

CONCLUSION

ICDAS CI seems to have similar trends as DMF indices, but includes more information about the stage, severity, and progress of the caries lesions of the patient.

Water fluoridation and the association of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and dental caries in Australian children

OBJECTIVES

We examined demographic and socioeconomic differences in the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), its association with dental caries in children, and whether exposure to water fluoridation modifies this association.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, we used a stratified, clustered sampling design to obtain information on 16 508 children aged 5 to 16 years enrolled in Australian school dental services in 2002 to 2005. Dental staff assessed dental caries, and parents completed a questionnaire about their child's residential history, sources of drinking water, toothbrushing frequency, socioeconomic status (SES), and SSB consumption.

RESULTS

Children who brushed their teeth less often and were older, male, of low SES, from rural or remote areas consumed significantly more SSBs. Caries was significantly associated with greater SSB consumption after controlling for potential confounders. Finally, greater exposure to fluoridated water significantly reduced the association between children's SSB consumption and dental caries.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of SSBs should be considered a major risk factor for dental caries. However, increased exposure to fluoridated public water helped ameliorate the association between SSB consumption and dental decay. These results reconfirm the benefits of community water fluoridation for oral health.

Consumption patterns of sweet drinks in a population of Australian children and adolescents (2003-2008)

Background

Intake of sweet drinks has previously been associated with the development of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents. The present study aimed to assess the consumption pattern of sweet drinks in a population of children and adolescents in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Data on 1,604 children and adolescents (4–18 years) from the comparison groups of two quasi-experimental intervention studies from Victoria, Australia were analysed. Sweet drink consumption (soft drink and fruit juice/cordial) was assessed as one day’s intake and typical intake over the last week or month at two time points between 2003 and 2008 (mean time between measurement: 2.2 years).

Results

Assessed using dietary recalls, more than 70% of the children and adolescents consumed sweet drinks, with no difference between age groups (p = 0.28). The median intake among consumers was 500 ml and almost a third consumed more than 750 ml per day. More children and adolescents consumed fruit juice/cordial (69%) than soft drink (33%) (p < 0.0001) and in larger volumes (median intake fruit juice/cordial: 500 ml and soft drink: 375 ml). Secular changes in sweet drink consumption were observed with a lower proportion of children and adolescents consuming sweet drinks at time 2 compared to time 1 (significant for age group 8 to <10 years, p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The proportion of Australian children and adolescents from the state of Victoria consuming sweet drinks has been stable or decreasing, although a high proportion of this sample consumed sweet drinks, especially fruit juice/cordial at both time points.

Factors associated with sugar-sweetened beverage intake among United States high school students

This cross-sectional study examined associations of demographic characteristics, weight status, availability of school vending machines, and behavioral factors with sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, both overall and by type of SSB, among a nationally representative sample of high school students. The 2010 National Youth Physical Activity and Nutrition Study data for 11,209 students (grades 9-12) were used. SSB intake was based on intake of 4 nondiet beverages [soda, other (i.e., fruit-flavored drinks, sweetened coffee/tea drinks, or flavored milk), sports drinks, and energy drinks]. Nationwide, 64.9% of high school students drank SSB ≥1 time/d, 35.6% drank SSB ≥2 times/d, and 22.2% drank SSB ≥3 times/d. The most commonly consumed SSB was regular soda. Factors associated with a greater odds for high SSB intake (≥3 times/d) were male gender [OR = 1.66 (95% CI = 1.41,1.95); P < 0.05], being non-Hispanic black [OR = 1.87 (95% CI = 1.52, 2.29); P < 0.05], eating at fast-food restaurants 1-2 d/wk or eating there ≥3 d/wk [OR = 1.25 (95% CI = 1.05, 1.50); P < 0.05 and OR = 2.94 (95% CI = 2.31, 3.75); P < 0.05, respectively] and watching television >2 h/d [OR = 1.70 (95% CI = 1.44, 2.01); P < 0.05]. Non-Hispanic other/multiracial [OR = 0.67 (95% CI = 0.47, 0.95); P < 0.05] and being physically active ≥60 min/d on <5 d/wk were associated with a lower odds for high SSB intake [OR = 0.85 (95% CI = 0.76, 0.95); P < 0.05]. Weight status was not associated with SSB intake. Differences in predictors by type of SSB were small. Our findings of significant associations of high SSB intake with frequent fast-food restaurant use and sedentary behaviors may be used to tailor intervention efforts to reduce SSB intake among high-risk populations.