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: Recently increasing number of people are using mouthwashes for general and oral care while the primary appeal of a mouthwash is an aid to breath freshness and cleansing the mouth, the majority of mouthwashes also claim to have antiseptic properties. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial effectiveness of eight types of mouthwashes against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in vitro. Materials and methods: Agar diffusion technique was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of eight types of mouthwashes against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans isolated from the oral cavities of patients attending dental clinics at college of dentistry - Baghdad Uni
... Show MoreBackground: asthma has an influence on craniofacial development. Recently evidences show that there is an association between oral health problems and chronic lung disease. The present study was designed to estimate the changes in arch dimension measurements among asthmatic children aged 12 years old who were collected from AL- Zahra Center Advisory for Allergy and Asthma and compare them with the non-asthmatic children of the same age and gender. Material and Methods: Fifty children (25 asthmatic and 25 non- asthmatic children) were included for the odontometric measurement. For both upper and lower study models, photographs were taken using special photographic apparatus for each child, and the statistical analysis were done by using SPSS
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Background: Bacterial DNA released upon bacterial autolysis or killed by antibiotics, hence, many inflammatogenic reactions will be established leading to serious tissue damage. Aim: the present work aimed to elucidate the histopathological changes caused by prokaryotic (bacterial) DNA and eukaryotic (candidal) DNA. Materials and methods: twenty one Staphylococcus aureus and 36 Candida albicans isolates were isolated from UTI patients. Viable cells and DNA of the highest antibiotic sensitive isolates were injected, intraurethraly, in mice. Results were evaluated via histopathological examination. Results: Mildest reactions were obtained from mice challenged with viable C. albicans compared with those challenged with viable S. aureus. Dos
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Oral swab samples were collected from 120 children (ages between one month- 10 years) who were infected with oral thrush and 30 healthy children. The percentages of isolated yeasts and Bacteria were 66.6% and 96.6% respectively. The dominate yeast and bacteria were Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus with of 78.7% and 34.4% respectively. Results revealed that the highest percent of infection with oral thrush disease was 32.5% in children within the age of 1-2 months.
In this study Candida speices was diagnosed in 26 swab samples from patients with denture stomatitis , investigates the antagonism activity of Lactobacillus was investigated against the yeast of Candida albicans in vitro.Results revealed that The inhibition effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria against C.albicans was examined in solid medium, L.plantarum gave higher inhibition average 11mm followed by L.acidophillus with average 9 mm and, L.fermentum , L.casei with averages 7 mm. Whereas the filtrates, the highest inhibition zone were 20 and 16 mm by L. plantarum and L.acidophillus, respectively.
Background: The emergence of vaping as a popular alternative to traditional smoking has raised concerns regarding its potential impact on oral health. specifically affects the oral health of dental students, who are not only consumers of these products but also future practitioners tasked with educating patients on oral hygiene and health risks. purpose: This study investigated the dental and oral health impact of VAPE among male dental students. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire comprising 20 questions was meticulously designed to gather relevant data about their VAPE use and its implications on dental and oral health. Results: 43% of participants reported using VAPE, predominantly employing salt nicotine (48.8%) over free
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Background: Salvia officinalis is a plant belong to
Labiatae family .The common name of Salvia is sage
which mean save. The leaves of Salvia have special
oil which is effective against filamentous fungi and
yeasts such as Candida albicans which is the
causative agent of vaginal candidiasis in women
Methods. Cultures from 50 swabs of Candida
albicans isolated from vagina of 70 patient women
who complains from vaginal problems, their ages
(24-43) years from Central City Hospital during
Febreoury 2009 to April 2009 were cultured on
Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) .Nystatin was used
as positive reference standard to determine the
sensitivity of this fungus . and less this concentration
there was no min
Comparative study on tb.e activity of phospholipase enzyme which is produced by yeastآ cum/ida albicansآ آ into different culture media that contain phospholipids as substrates. The agar containing substrate (L-aآ phosphatidyl inositol) was used .
The agar containing lecithin as other substrate for comparision was also
used.
The second culture media was found the best for enzyme activity which
was measured by precipitation zone .
Background: Salivary immunoglobulin IgA plays an essential role in the immune response against dental caries. This studywas conducted to compare the salivary IgA levels and flow rate of stimulated saliva in caries active and caries free children. Materials and methods: The present study included sixty healthy children age 7-10 yearswho were divided into two groups. They were caries free and caries active children (30 children in each group). Assessment and recording of caries – experience were through the application of Decayed, Missing and Filled Tooth Index (DMFT) and (dmft) index, for permanent and deciduous teeth respectively. After dental examination, stimulated saliva samples were collected from the subjects and performed und
... Show MoreBackground: Salivary immunoglobulin IgA plays an essential role in the immune response against dental caries. This studywas conducted to compare the salivary IgA levels and flow rate of stimulated saliva in caries active and caries free children. Materials and methods: The present study included sixty healthy children age 7-10 yearswho were divided into two groups. They were caries free and caries active children (30 children in each group). Assessment and recording of caries – experience were through the application of Decayed, Missing and Filled Tooth Index (DMFT) and (dmft) index, for permanent and deciduous teeth respectively. After dental examination, stimulated saliva samples were collected from the subjects and performed und
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