Introduction: Salivary melatonin is a critical antioxidant that contributes to oral health by mitigating oxidative stress. Psychological stress linked to thumb sucking may disrupt oral homeostasis, leading to conditions such as dental caries and fungal infections. Aim: This study explores the relationships between thumb sucking, salivary melatonin levels, dental caries, and the presence of Candida albicans (CA) in children. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted with 60 children aged 4-5 years at the University of Baghdad’s College of Dentistry. Participants were divided into thumb-sucking (n=30) and non-thumb-sucking (n=30) groups. Salivary melatonin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), dental caries were assessed via the dmfs index, and CA counts were quantified on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Statistical analyses were performed, including t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation assessments. Results: Thumb-sucking children exhibited significantly lower salivary melatonin levels (28.620±2.278 pg/mL) compared to controls (34.525±2.142 pg/mL; p=0.044). The thumb-sucking group also had higher dmfs scores (15.033±1.449 vs. 8.667±0.899; p=0.000) and greater CA counts (18.900±1.048 vs. 13.583±0.549; p=0.000). Negative correlations were observed between salivary melatonin levels and the severity of dental caries, while positive correlations linked CA with dental caries. Conclusions: Thumb sucking adversely affects pediatric oral health by reducing salivary melatonin, increasing dental caries risk, and promoting fungal overgrowth. Early intervention to curb thumb-sucking behaviors may mitigate these risks and improve oral health outcomes.
Background: We aimed to investigate the accuracy of salivary matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-8 and -9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in diagnosing periodontitis and in distinguishing periodontitis stages (S)1 to S3. Methods: This study was a case–control study that included patients with periodontitis S1 to S3 and subjects with healthy periodontia (controls). Saliva was collected, and then, clinical parameters were recorded, including plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. Diagnosis was confirmed by assessing the alveolar bone level using radiography. Salivary biomarkers were assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: A total of 45 patients (15
... Show MoreBackground: Dental implants act as infrastructure for fixed restoration to look like as a natural tooth. Osseointegration is a biological events and considered as a base for success of dental implant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the bond strength between bone and Ti implant coated with mixture of nano hydroxyapatite-chitosan-collagen compared with Ti implants coated with nano hydroxyapatite implanted in rabbit tibia, after different period of implantation time (two and six weeks) by torque removal test. Material and methods: 36 screws of commercially pure titanium; 8mm in length and 3mm diameter , 18 screws coated with mixture of nano hydroxyapatite-chitosan-collagen and18 screws coated with nano hydroxyapatite by dip coating. St
... Show MoreDBN Rashid, IMPAT: International Journal of Research in Humanities, Arts, and Literature, 2016 - Cited by 5
Experts of Psychology and education emphasized that childhood is one of the most important stages in the formation of human personality, and the most influential in his public life, especially the stage in which he lives within his family, which must provide him with the requirements of healthy growth of physical, emotional, moral and social. Emotional-social connection of the child to his family, is especially important in determining the characteristics of his social character, in accordance with the norms and values prevailing in society. This requires the child to be cared for and cared for, and to deal with him in a healthy social manner. So as to achieve positive growth and harmony in the process of social control in internal
... Show MoreBackground: Mental health of children has recently been
receiving increased attention in many parts of the world.
However, such attention has been lacking in developing
countries, particularly in the form of systematic research
Aim: The study aimed to find out the frequency of
behavior disorders in a sample of primary school children
and the different social and demographic factors that might
be related to this disorder.
Methods: The study is a cross-sectional one that included
918 primary school pupils in both urban and rural areas of
Baghdad. Rutter's questionnaire teacher's version was used
to assess the pupils, and the demographic data was obtained
by special questionnaire sent to the parents to be
Anger is one of the problems of scientific importance that psychologists and education scientists are interested in, especially societies and educational environments, because if a child’s anger continues to develop into violence, then it becomes an unusual behavior, and an indication of the child's lack of adaptation to his family and his environment (Moses, 2013: 4) &n
... Show MoreBackground: Febrile convulsions are the most frequent type of seizures in children under 6 years of age. Significant percentage of these children will later suffer from recurrence of febrile convulsion.Objectives: To identify the main risk factors for recurrent febrile convulsions in children.Methods: we carried out a case control study involving 89 children those who experienced first attack of febrile convulsions and 92 children with recurrent attack of febrile convulsions. The study was conducted in Central Children Teaching Hospital, Baghdad during the period 2006- 2007. Results: Compared to children with first attack of febrile convulsion, children with recurrent seizures were younger at onset (4- 12m) (67% vs. 44%), mainly male (70
... Show MoreWarfarin dosing is challenging due to a multitude of factors affecting its pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD). A novel personalised dosing algorithm predicated on a warfarin PK/PD model and incorporating CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotype information has been developed for children. The present prospective, observational study aimed to compare the model with conventional weight-based dosing. The study involved two groups of children post-cardiac surgery: Group 1 were warfarin naïve, in whom loading and maintenance doses were estimated using the model over a 6-month duration and compared to historical case-matched controls. Group 2 were already established on maintenance therapy a
Taxes are an essential axis in the economy as the most effective and effective economic tool in any country (economy). Expanding the scope of taxation without adequate study has produced a dangerous result with a negative impact that is almost apparent, namely (tax evasion), which stands as a barrier preventing the state from reaching Therefore, the research sought to study strategic tax planning and its importance in reducing tax evasion, and the research aims from that to prove the importance of adopting strategic planning in the field of taxes according to modern and effective scientific foundations to reduce tax evasion to enhance the achievement of tax evasion. The financing objective is in addition to the other objectives,
... Show MoreThe correct and sincere process of socialization is working on appropriate social climate in
which this process is the provision, and the climate is achieved in the presence of a positive
environment free of negatives and contradictions, but when there is a socialization processes
inadequate and contradictory was not based on the principles of punishment and reward nor a
balance between methods soft and intensity of treatment and interaction with small and
adolescent does not require intensive social care formulas do not create the conditions
essential items required by the successful and effective socialization, the young and the young
people who are going through in such Altanisah and educational operations will be