Background/Objectives: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased markedly in recent decades and has been associated with adverse health outcomes. In childhood, the family environment plays a central role in shaping dietary habits and oral health behaviors. This study investigated the association between UPF consumption by caregivers and children, its relationship with caregivers’ periodontal health–related quality of life and described children’s dietary practices and oral hygiene habits. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted with caregivers of children participating in the Happy Smile Project in Birigui, São Paulo, Brazil. UPF consumption was assessed using a questionnaire based on the NOVA classification, considering intake in the 24 hours prior to data collection. Caregivers’ periodontal health–related quality of life was evaluated using the OHIP-14-PD. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman correlation, and binary logistic regression adjusted for caregiver education level and household income. Results: A high frequency of UPF consumption was observed among both caregivers and children. Children whose caregivers had high UPF consumption were more likely to also present high consumption (OR = 8.66; 95% CI: 5.00–14.99; p < 0.001). Higher caregiver education was associated with lower odds of high UPF consumption among children. Children in the high-consumption group were older and showed higher consumption of sweetened milk beverages (p < 0.001). Risk behaviors for oral health, such as nighttime use of sweetened bottles and absence of toothbrushing afterward, were frequently reported. Regarding periodontal health–related quality of life, only the physical disability domain of the OHIP-14-PD showed significantly higher scores among caregivers with high UPF consumption (p = 0.014). Conclusions: In conclusion, high consumption of ultra-processed foods by caregivers significantly increased the odds of children’s consumption and was associated with a greater negative impact on caregivers’ periodontal health–related quality of life. In addition, children exhibited a high frequency of oral health–damaging behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of family-centered strategies aimed at reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods and promoting healthier oral health behaviors to improve overall quality of life.
Background/Objectives: Oral health promotion in early childhood depends strongly on caregivers’ preventive care at home and educational centers. The aim of this study was to investigate socioeconomic, educational, cultural, and oral health factors associated with caregivers’ decisions to decline their children’s participation in school-based oral health promotion programs. Methods: Caregivers who did not authorize their children’s participation in the project were identified through school records and contacted using available information (name, telephone number, and email address). Participants were selected through simple random sampling. Results: Among the 58 caregivers included in the study, the main reasons reported were failure to return the consent form or missing the deadline (36.2%), considering the child too young (19.0%), already receiving private dental care (13.8%), not understanding the consent form (13.8%), not having received the document (10.3%), lack of trust in the professional (3.4%), and other reasons (3.4%). Higher income was significantly associated with higher educational level (p = 0.002), increased toothbrushing frequency (p = 0.007), shorter time since the last dental visit (p < 0.001), and lower levels of embarrassment related to oral health (p < 0.001). Additionally, lower-income caregivers were more likely to seek dental care only in the presence of problems (p = 0.046), while higher-income families were more likely to report private dental care as a reason for non-authorization (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These findings associate socioeconomic and educational inequalities with adverse effects on family oral health among parents, by reducing the frequency of preventive dental examinations and daily oral hygiene practices; and among children, by limiting authorization to participate in school-based oral health promotion programs. This evidence underscores that successful promotion of children’s oral health in educational settings requires addressing social disparities while strengthening caregivers’ knowledge and motivation to support participation.
Background/Objectives: Avulsion is a major cause of tooth loss, and its treatment involves replantation. This study analyzed the repair process of incisive teeth subjected to delayed replantation after topical treatment with ampicillin and tetracycline. Methods: Forty male rats were equally divided into four groups: immediate replantation (IM), ampicillin (AM), tetracycline (TR), and dry medium (SE). In the IM group, replantation was performed 5 min after experimental avulsion, whereas in the SE group, the teeth were kept in a dry medium for 60 min. In the AM and TR groups, the teeth were stored in whole bovine milk for 60 min, and then immersed in their respective ampicillin and tetracycline solutions for 5 min. Euthanasia was performed 60 days after the experimental surgery. Histological slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin for quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed among the IM, AM, and TR groups regarding the total resorption area, reattached periodontal ligament fibers, and ankylosis. However, when compared to the SE group, these groups exhibited a smaller total resorption area (IM: p = 0.005; AM: p = 0.0007; TR: p = 0.03), a larger area of periodontal ligament fibers reattachment (IM: p = 0.0002; AM: p = 0.0002; TR: p = 0.02), and a lower presence of ankylosis (IM: p = 0.005; AM: p = 0.0002; TR: p = 0.03). The AM group exhibited the smallest inflammatory resorption. Conclusions: It is concluded that, in an aseptic environment, the use of topical antibiotics such as ampicillin and tetracycline in the treatment of the root surface during replantation of teeth stored in milk is beneficial to the periodontal repair process and root resorption. Notably, ampicillin demonstrated superior efficacy in mitigating inflammatory root resorption and better periodontal ligament reattachment.
Background/Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood, disproportionately affecting socially vulnerable populations. This scoping review aimed to analyze the clinical effects of selected minimally invasive materials and approaches, specifically mouthrinses, fluoride varnishes, silver diamine fluoride, and glass ionomer-based interventions, for the prevention and management of dental caries in pediatric patients, with emphasis on public health and community-based settings. Methods: This scoping review followed the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework. Electronic searches were conducted up to 23 January 2026, using tailored strategies for mouthrinses, fluoride varnishes, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), and glass ionomer cements (GICs). Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. Data extraction and qualitative synthesis focused on clinical outcomes and applicability in public health contexts. Results: Fifty-five RCTs were included. Fluoride- or chlorhexidine-based mouthrinses showed potential in controlling cariogenic biofilm, with evidence primarily based on microbiological outcomes. Fluoride varnishes were associated with enamel remineralization and control of early white spot lesions, particularly in supervised programs. SDF was reported to achieve high caries’ arrest rates in cavitated dentin lesions of primary teeth, while its preventive effect on sound surfaces appeared comparable to other fluoride-based interventions. GICs were associated with acceptable clinical performance as pit-and-fissure sealants and in atraumatic restorative treatment. Conclusions: Minimally invasive dentistry (MID) approaches show promise for the prevention and management of childhood dental caries in public health and community-based settings. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneity of interventions and outcome measures, the predominance of short-term and surrogate (microbiological) outcomes, and the absence of a formal risk-of-bias assessment. As a scoping review, the synthesis is narrative in nature, which limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Further studies with standardized clinical outcomes and longer follow-up are needed to strengthen the evidence.
Background/Objectives: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has increased markedly in recent decades and has been associated with adverse health outcomes. In childhood, the family environment plays a central role in shaping dietary habits and oral health behaviors. This study investigated the association between UPF consumption by caregivers and children, its relationship with caregivers’ periodontal health-related quality of life, and described children’s dietary practices and oral hygiene habits. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with caregivers of children participating in the Happy Smile Project in Birigui, São Paulo, Brazil. UPF consumption was assessed using a questionnaire based on the NOVA classification, and periodontal health-related quality of life was evaluated using the OHIP-14-PD. Results: A high frequency of UPF consumption was observed among both caregivers and children. Children whose caregivers had high UPF consumption were more likely to also present high consumption (OR = 9.96; 95% CI: 5.38–18.44; p < 0.001). Higher caregiver education was associated with lower odds of high UPF consumption among children. Children in the high-consumption group were older and showed higher consumption of sweetened milk beverages (p < 0.001). Risk behaviors for oral health, such as nighttime use of sweetened bottles and absence of toothbrushing afterward, were frequently reported. Regarding periodontal health-related quality of life, only the physical disability domain showed significantly higher scores among caregivers with high UPF consumption (p = 0.014). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that high consumption of ultra-processed foods by caregivers significantly increased the odds of children’s consumption and was associated with a greater negative impact on caregivers’ periodontal health-related quality of life, specifically in the physical disability domain. In addition, children exhibited a high frequency of oral health-damaging behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of family-centered strategies aimed at reducing the intake of ultra-processed foods and promoting healthier dietary and oral health behaviors.