Behavioural and socioeconomic factors associated with the simultaneous occurrence of periodontal disease and dental caries.

The aim was to evaluate the association of behavioural and socioeconomic factors with the occurrence of periodontal disease and dental caries, paying special attention to the simultaneous occurrence of these diseases. The study population consisted of 5255 dentate persons aged ≥30 years from a nationally representative survey. Caries and probing pocket depth were recorded by tooth and calculated in relation to the number of existing teeth.

Prevalence and simultaneous occurrence of periodontitis and dental caries.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and simultaneous occurrence of periodontal disease and dental caries in Finnish adults.

Material And Methods: The study was performed as part of the nationally representative Health 2000 Survey. The study population was 5255 subjects aged 30 years and older.

Dietary xylitol protects against the imbalance in bone metabolism during the early phase of collagen type II-induced arthritis in dark agouti rats.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes in bone metabolism during the early phase of type II collagen-induced arthritis in rats and to evaluate whether a 10% dietary xylitol supplementation is able to protect against these changes. Arthritis was induced in female dark agouti rats by injections of type II homologous rat collagen emulsified with an equal volume of incomplete Freund adjuvant. In one group, the diet was supplemented with 10% xylitol.

Self-reported gingivitis and tooth loss poorly predict C-reactive protein levels: a study among Finnish young adults.

Objectives: Our aim in this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether self-reported gingivitis and tooth loss were associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) using the same study population where these dental conditions have earlier been associated with prevalent angina pectoris.

Material And Methods: The study population consisted of those Northern Finland birth cohort 1966 members who lived in Northern Finland or in the Helsinki region (n=8463) at the time of the survey (1996-1997). The participation rate in a health examination was 71% (n=6033).

Cynical hostility as a determinant of toothbrushing frequency and oral hygiene.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate whether cynical hostility, self-reported toothbrushing frequency and objectively assessed levels of oral hygiene were associated.

Material And Methods: The present study sample consisted of 4156 30-64-year-old dentate Finns. The questionnaire and the home interview included information about socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors and behavioural variables, such as toothbrushing frequency, dental attendance, smoking and cynical hostility.

Sense of coherence as a determinant of toothbrushing frequency and level of oral hygiene.

Background: Antonovsky's salutogenic theory seeks to find general health-promoting factors in individuals as distinct from characteristics that function as risks for specific diseases. A central construct of the theory is sense of coherence (SOC). Individuals with a strong SOC have the ability to define events as less stressful (because of comprehensibility); to mobilize resources to deal with encountered stressors (manageability); and to possess the motivation, desire, and commitment to cope (meaningfulness).

Effects of a long-term dietary xylitol supplementation on collagen content and fluorescence of the skin in aged rats.

Background: Dietary xylitol has been shown to increase the amounts of newly synthesized collagen, and to decrease fluorescence of the collagenase-soluble fraction in the skin of both healthy and diabetic rats. As in diabetic rats, a decreased rate of collagen synthesis and increased collagen fluorescence has also been detected in the skin of aged rats. We hypothesize that dietary xylitol supplementation may protect against these changes during aging.

The effect of a simultaneous dietary administration of xylitol and ethanol on bone resorption.

Our previous studies have shown that dietary xylitol supplementation diminishes bone resorption in rats, as well as protects against ovariectomy-induced increase of bone resorption during experimental osteoporosis. Interestingly, ethanol, when given simultaneously with xylitol, is known to increase blood concentration of xylitol. On the other hand, ethanol, when given alone, has been shown to increase bone resorption.

Mast cell subpopulations in gingival overgrowth induced by immunosuppressive and nifedipine medication.

Background: An immunohistochemical study was conducted to compare distributions of mast cell subpopulations in normal human gingiva and in gingival overgrowth induced by nifedipine and immunosuppressive medication.

Methods: Gingival samples were collected from 12 triple-medicated organ transplant recipients (immunosuppression group), 11 triple-medicated organ transplant recipients taking nifedipine (immunosuppression plus nifedipine group), 11 nifedipine-medicated cardiac outpatients (nifedipine group), and 20 generally healthy individuals (control group). Cryostat sections were stained with mAbs for tryptase and chymase, and an avidin-biotin enzyme complex method was used to detect tryptase-positive mast cells (MC(T)), tryptase- and chymase-positive mast cells (MC(TC)), and chymase-positive mast cells (MC(C)).

Relation of different measures of psychological characteristics to oral health habits, diabetes adherence and related clinical variables among diabetic patients.

Among diabetic patients, oral health status and oral health behavior have been found to relate to metabolic control. The aim was to analyse which psychological characteristics, i.e.

Role of smoking and HbA1c level in periodontitis among insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

Objectives: The aim was to analyse the role of smoking and HbA1c level in attachment loss (AL) and probing depths (PDs) among insulin-dependent diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND-METHODS: The study subjects were selected from a group of 149 insulin-dependent diabetic patients and included 64 patients (39 men and 25 women) aged 30 years or older. Data were obtained from patient records and by clinical examination.

Metabolic control as a modifier of the association between salivary factors and dental caries among diabetic patients.

The aim here was to analyze the role of metabolic control as a modifier of the association of salivary factors with dental caries among diabetic patients. Cross-sectional data were gathered from 149 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients by means of clinical examination, a quantitative questionnaire and patient records. Dental caries was measured as the number of decayed surfaces.

Macrophage subpopulations in gingival overgrowth induced by nifedipine and immunosuppressive medication.

Background: The immunomodulating effects of both immunosuppressive and nifedipine medication have been associated with drug-induced gingival overgrowth. The aim of the study reported here was to evaluate the presence of macrophage subpopulations in normal human gingiva and in gingival overgrowth induced by nifedipine and immunosuppressive medication.

Methods: Gingival samples were taken from 11 nifedipine-medicated cardiac outpatients (nifedipine group), 11 triple-medicated organ-transplant recipients also taking nifedipine (immunosuppression plus nifedipine group), 12 triple-medicated organ-transplant recipients (immunosuppression group), and 20 generally healthy individuals (control group).

The theory of reasoned action in describing tooth brushing, dental caries and diabetes adherence among diabetic patients.

Objectives: Preventive oral health behaviour is important among diabetic patients, as it has been found that dental diseases and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have some psychological and biological factors in common. The aim here was to analyze the variables of Ajzen and Fishbein's theory of reasoned action to explain the reported frequency of tooth brushing, dental caries, HbA1c level and diabetes adherence.

Material And Methods: Cross-sectional data were gathered from 149 IDDM patients by means of a quantitative questionnaire, clinical examination and patient records.