O carboidrato é a principal fonte de energia e desempenha funções importantes para a sobrevivência como combustível energético, além de modular a oxidação das proteínas. A relação entre carboidratos e cárie dentária está na indução da formação de biofilme com micro-organismos cariogênicos. Esta revisão tem como objetivo relacionar a estrutura e a função dos carboidratos, o papel da saliva no ambiente bucal; a possível interação entre o consumo de carboidratos e a manutenção da saúde bucal e a relação da boca com outros aspectos fisiológicos, sociais e políticos por meio de uma revisão de literatura. Foram selecionados artigos nas bases de dados PubMed, SciELO e Google Acadêmico no período de 2016 a 2021, nos idiomas português e inglês. Os estudos analisados mostraram que a presença dos carboidratos e açúcares na forma de monoses é fator que estimula direta ou indiretamente o crescimento bacteriano e o aparecimento de cárie, doenças periodontais e cálculos dentários, portanto, uma alimentação equilibrada é um fator essencial para reduzir a colonização da boca por micro-organismos patogênicos. Conclui-se que o equilíbrio na alimentação, escovação e higienização adequadas e visitas periódicas ao dentista são medidas indispensáveis para garantir a saúde bucal e todos os seus benefícios.

Introduction/Objectives: Dental caries is a significant public health burden in Brazil, with regional disparities deeply affecting children in the North and Northeast. This study assessed the prevalence and severity of dental caries in preschool children from Balsas (MA) and investigated its association with fluoride concentrations in the public water supply. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 256 children (aged 3–5 years) enrolled in municipal schools. Schools were selected using a stratified sampling strategy based on the water network, with exposure validated via chemical analysis. Calibrated dentists performed examinations using the FOA-UNESP risk scale, assessing biofilm and gingivitis as objective clinical proxies for hygiene. Fluoride levels were analyzed using an ion-selective electrode. Statistical analysis included Fisher’s exact test, Kruskal–Wallis, and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). Results: Caries prevalence was 60.16%, with 41.8% of children in severe risk categories (F: 27.0%; G: 14.8%). Water analysis revealed universal hypofluoridation (0.02–0.34 µg F/mL). A significant association was found between residual fluoride (0.02 µg F/mL) and greater caries severity (p = 0.04). Poor hygiene markers (biofilm and gingivitis) were significantly associated with a higher number of decayed teeth (p < 0.05). MCA identified a cluster linking residual fluoridation to severe clinical conditions and social vulnerability. Conclusions: High caries prevalence associated with inadequate fluoridation highlights critical regional health inequalities in Balsas. These findings underscore the urgent need for policies ensuring universal water fluoridation and strengthening school-based preventive strategies to mitigate the impact of social determinants on child development.

Hypertension alters tooth formation and Atenolol, a β-blocker, reduces the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) during pregnancy and lactation, and as demonstrated before, increases the microhardness of the SHR offspring's teeth. We hypothesize hypertension alters the expression of MMP-9 in dental structures of SHR offspring and that treating female SHR with atenolol prevents this alteration. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) in incisor teeth (IT) in male offspring of SHR (30 days old) treated or untreated with Atenolol (At, 100 mg/kg/day, orally) during pregnancy and lactation. MMP-9 expression was evaluated in ameloblasts (AM), enamel matrix (EM), odontoblasts (OD), and pre-dentin (PD) of IT through immunohistochemical reactions (immunoperoxidase). Data were analyzed by Shapiro-Wilk and Kruskal-Wallis (p < 0.05), with Dunn post-test. Histological differences were not observed between IT tissues of SHR and normotensive Wistar rats. For the first time, our data showed that MMP-9 expression in specific dental structures is not altered in SHR. Atenolol treatment increased MMP-9 immunostaining in EM of Wistar rat, however, Atenolol did not alter the MMP-9 in the IT tissues of SHR. Our results suggest that neither hypertension nor atenolol treatment alters MMP-9 expression in dental tissues of SHR.