Background: Pre-eclampsia, the second most frequent direct source of maternal mortality, is a multisystem gestational disorder characterized by proteinuria and maternal hypertension after the 20th gestational week. Although the causes of pre-eclampsia are still discussed, research has suggested that the placenta has a central place in the pathogenesis of this disease. Moreover, current surveys indicated that periodontal disorders observed during the pregnancy and more particularly, periodontal pathogens could be link to the risk of pre-eclampsia. Objectives: This article aims to review recent studies focusing on periodontal conditions and pathogens associated with pre-eclampsia. Methods: The process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Results: Metabolic conditions, immunological changes, fluctuating progesterone and estrogen levels of the pregnant woman induce a dysbiosis of the oral microbiota and contribute to increase inflammation of periodontal tissues. Periodontal pathogens could diffuse through the bloodstream inducing a placenta inflammatory response as well as inflammatory molecules produced in response to periodontopathogens could migrate through the bloodstream leading to a placenta inflammatory response. Also, periodontopathogens can colonize the vaginal microbiota through the gastrointestinal tract or during oro-genital contacts. Conclusion: A cumulative bi-directional relationship between periodontal conditions, pathogens and the pre-eclampsia exists.
The scope of this study was to assess the prevalence, severity of extension, and risk factors of gingivitis among pregnant women. In this cross-sectional study, 220 nulliparous women at 3 months of pregnancy were recruited in 2022 at the first obstetrical visit in Dakar, Senegal. Demographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, prenatal clinical status, and oral clinical parameters were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to assess relationships between gingivitis and risk factors. Eighty-eight percent of women had gingivitis, 15% were classified as moderate and 73% as severe. A total of 66.7% (95% CI [28.8–92.1]) of the sites had bleeding on interdental brushing. The odds for gingivitis decreased significantly for women consuming more than five portions of fruits and vegetables per day (OR = 0.15; 95% CI [0.03–0.66]) and increased in women who had a professional activity (OR = 6.75; 95% CI [1.27–35.87]) and high education. Concomitantly, the percentage of dental plaque (OR = 131.6; 95% CI [10.80–1619.71] and the severity of clinical attachment loss (OR = 7.70; 95% CI [3.16–18.92]) were important risk factors. Inverse associations were observed with increasing body mass index (OR = 0.76; 95% CI [0.63–0.93]). Our results underline that gingivitis cases and bleeding were particularly high among 3-month pregnant women. Literacy and adequate oral hygiene actions to modify behaviors and to achieve meticulous biofilm disorganization could make a favorable change in the gingival health outcome. Additionally, further research is necessary to precisely determine the role of biofilm-induced gingivitis and systemic-induced gingivitis in improving gingival conditions.
In sub-Saharan Africa, oral health is a real epidemiological challenge. Mobile applications represent a hope for the learning of oral hygiene in children and the fight against oral diseases. This study overviews and assesses the quality of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children currently featured on the iOS and Android stores in sub-Saharan Africa. Ten oral health professionals (OHP) used the French Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-F) to rate 15 selected applications. The highest MARS-F scores for overall quality were reported for Bonne nuit Caillou (3.89 ± 0.74), Mon Raccoon (3.63 ± 0.95), and Chomper Chums (3.54 ± 0.54) while the lowest MARS-F scores for overall quality were achieved by Brushing time (2.31 ± 0.61), De belles dents (2.55 ± 0.55) and Brushing Hero (2.77 ± 0.53). The subjective quality scores ranged from 1.50 ± 0.68 for Brushing time to 3.25 ± 0.97 for Bonne nuit Caillou. Specificity scores ranged from 1.95 ± 0.88 (Brushing time) to 3.75 ± 0.84 (Bonne nuit Caillou). Thus, OHP rated positively the quality of the majority of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children, their effect on users’ knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to change, and the probability of effective oral hygiene behavior modification. They stated that they would recommend their use to their patients who need them. However, studies analyzing the change in oral hygiene behavior of children using these apps need to be conducted.
21 September 2022 in Journal of Public Health in Africa
Introduction. The proliferation of the oral care industry has made it more challenging for shoppers to zero in on the best possible toothpaste for their preventative requirements. It also makes the toothpaste’s various components safer.Objective. The researchers set out to evaluate the state of information about the biological properties and cytotoxicity of adult toothpaste so that they might make some informed recommendations.Methods. A scoping review of research published between 2015 and 2020 according to PRISMA guidelines was performed.Results. In vitro clinical trials account for 44% of the papers, in vivo clinical trials for 25%, systematic reviews for 19%, and meta-analyses for 12%. They have active chemical components that have been shown to be antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, or desensitizing. Herbal toothpaste has these characteristics and is very secure to use. Toothpaste with sodium lauryl sulfate has been found to be harmful.Conclusions. Scientists have investigated the biological effects of a wide range of chemically active compounds and plant extracts. Herbal toothpaste, it has been discovered, is both efficient and secure. Companies making toothpaste should be required to clearly label the product’s qualities, active ingredients, and potentially harmful ingredients on the packaging.
Pre-eclampsia (PE), a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder, characterized by the development of placental endothelial dysfunction, remains a major source of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income settings. Periodontal disorders during pregnancy, and particularly periodontal pathogens, may be related to the risk of PE. Standard oral hygiene methods, based mainly on the joint use of toothbrushes and interdental brushes, reduce periodontal inflammatory risk and modulate the dysbiosis of the oral microbiome. The aim of this trial is to compare the PE outcomes in high-risk pregnant women receiving oral prophylactic measures to a control group. This trial is designed as a two-arm, parallel, cluster randomized controlled trial with the antenatal obstetric clinic as the unit of randomization and an allocation ratio of 1:1. The pregnant women will be included at 3 months of pregnancy and will be followed throughout the pregnancy. The primary outcome measure will be the incidence of PE from a baseline during the pregnancy. Secondary outcomes measures will include changes from the baseline in quantification of the pathogenic bacterial load of the interdental microbiota, the severity scores of periodontal indicators, and the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes. This trial should demonstrate that the implementation of daily oral hygiene reduces oral dysbiosis, the incidence of periodontal disease, and the risk of PE.
1 January 2016 in Science Journal of Public Health
The aim of this study was to test the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of the dental surgeon on medical device in the region of Dakar. This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study covering 130 dental surgeons practicing in the region of Dakar, selected following stratified sampling. One stratum grouped 60% of the sample that worked in dental public structures. Another stratum gathered 40% of the sample who were dentists working in private dental structures. More than half of the dental surgeons (53.8%) have at least observed once an adverse effect case with a predominance of allergy (42%). The prevailing attitude was to stop or removal of the material. However, more than 86% of the sample have never reported or notified any adverse effects following use of any material. Almost 9/10th of the surveyed sample (88.5%) have never been trained on medical device vigilance. These results strongly advocate for the integration of medical device vigilance in the current health monitoring system and for an improved awareness in notifying and spontaneously reporting adverse effects observed in the use of medical device. More than half of the dental surgeons (48.40%) do not define the medical device vigilance.