A relatively small subset (11.9%) of the immune response genes analyzed by array was transiently activated in response to biofilm overgrowth, suggesting a degree of specificity in the transcriptome-expression response. The fact that this same subset demonstrates a reversal in expression patterns during clinical resolution implicates these genes as being critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis at the biofilm-gingival interface. In addition to the immune response pathway as the dominant response theme, new candidate genes and pathways were identified as being selectively modulated in experimental gingivitis, including neural processes, epithelial defenses, angiogenesis, and wound healing.

Oral health educational programs have been reported to have a variable impact on the oral health status of program participants. This paper reports the impact of an educational oral health program conducted within a single Boys & Girls Club of America. The objective of this 4-week examiner-blind study was to determine the impact of the educational program on the gingival health (gingivitis and plaque) of participating children who were between the ages of 5 and 15. The multi-week program taught the participants the basics of oral biology and disease, as well as proper oral health prevention including oral hygiene, dietary modification, and the importance of visiting the dentist. A calibrated examiner measured whole mouth Loe-Silness Gingival Index (GI) and Turesky Modification of Quigley-Hein Plaque index (PI) at baseline (immediately prior to the initiation of the educational program) and 4 weeks later. The primary efficacy analysis was based on change from baseline for 75 subjects who were enrolled at baseline, participated in the educational program, and were examined 4 weeks later. Mean baseline GI score was 0.37, while the 4 week mean GI score was reduced to 0.18. This represents a 51% reduction in GI score with p<0.001. Mean baseline PI score was 3.80, while the 4 week mean PI score was reduced to 2.68. This represents a 29% reduction in PI score with p<0.001. In addition, subjects completed a questionnaire (5 questions) at baseline and at 4 weeks to assess their oral health knowledge. The subject population was found to have statistically significantly (p<0.05) greater knowledge with respect to optimal brushing time and optimal frequency of dental recall visits following the program at week 4. Collectively, these data support the role of the educational program in promoting improved oral health in these children over a one month period. Citation Biesbrock AR, Walters PA, Bartizek RD. Initial Impact of a National Dental Education Program on the Oral Health and Dental Knowledge of Children. J Contemp Dent Pract 2003 May;(4)2:001-010.

This study examined the interaction of a human salivary low-molecular-weight mucin (MG2) with Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using both solution-phase and solid-phase assays. In solution phase, MG2 in human submandibular-sublingual saliva (HSMSL) bound to the bacterial surface; however, the highly purified mucin isoforms (MG2a and MG2b) did not. Mucin binding appeared to be dependent on heterotypic complexing between MG2 and secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), although other salivary molecules may also be involved. In contrast, in a solid-phase assay in which HSMSL, MG2-containing fractions with secretory IgA, and purified MG2 were immobilized onto a solid surface, there was minimal adherence of S. aureus. The collective results suggest that mucin binding to S. aureus and P. aeruginosa may be predicated on the formation of an MG2-secretory IgA complex. Such interactions may facilitate microbial clearance from the oral cavity and play an important role in preventing colonization of the oral cavity and the respiratory tract by potential pathogens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are common mucosal inhabitants which can serve as opportunistic pathogens (12, 28, 36). Bacterial colonization of the oral cavity in conjunction with the aspiration of saliva appears to act as a source or reservoir of these respiratory pathogens, which may initiate pulmonary infections (14, 15, 21, 33, 39, 40). Both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa can adhere to salivary or respiratory mucins in vitro (28, 36). These mucins likely play a role in protecting the underlying epithelial cells and facilitate clearance of pathogenic bacteria. However, under certain disease conditions (e.g., cystic fibrosis), bacterial adhesion to host cells followed by colonization and infection is favored (35). Salivary mucins can bind to and agglutinate various species of oral bacteria (9, 18, 19) and may modulate microbial colonization through specific interactions with bacterial surface adhesins (9, 18, 20, 24, 25). In addition, salivary mucins may aggregate potential respiratory pathogens such as P. aeruginosa to enhance their clearance from the oral cavity (16). Human submandibular-sublingual saliva (HSMSL) contains both high-and low-molecular-weight mucins (MG1 and MG2, respectively) (22, 26, 27). MG2 (120 to 140 kDa) comprises a single polypeptide chain with 0-and N-linked oligosaccharides which account for approximately 70% of the mucin's weight (26). The major di-and trisaccharides of MG2, GalP1,3GalNAc and NeuAca2,3GalB1,3GalNAc, interact with oral bacteria containing galactose or sialic acidbinding adhesins, respectively (18, 19, 25). Recent studies have found that MG2 can exist as two isoforms, MG2a and MG2b, which differ in their fucose and sialic acid contents (27). In the present study, we examined the interaction of HSMSL and MG2 isoforms with P. aeruginosa and S. aureus by using both solution-and solid-phase assays. Our findings indicate that MG2 complexing with secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) may be an important ...

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The objective of this research was to evaluate the anticaries effectiveness of a low-dose (500 ppm F, low-NaF) sodium fluoride dentifrice, a high-dose (2,800 ppm F, high-NaF) sodium fluoride dentifrice and an experimental 0.454% stabilized stannous fluoride (1,100 ppm F) with sodium hexametaphosphate (SnF₂-HMP) dentifrice, each relative to a standard 1,100 ppm F sodium fluoride positive control dentifrice. Subjects (n = 955, with ∼239 per group) with a mean age of 10.6 (∼9–12 years) were randomly assigned to one of four dentifrice treatments. Two calibrated examiners independently measured visual-tactile caries as DMFS that was supplemented with a radiographic examination at baseline, 12 months and 24 months for each subject. Generally similar results were independently observed by both examiners at the conclusion of the 2-year study period. Considering all subjects that attended at least 60% of the supervised brushing sessions, statistically significantly less caries was observed in the high-NaF group compared to the control group. Similarly, statistically significantly less caries was observed in the SnF₂-HMP group as compared to the control group. Differences in caries increments between the low-NaF and control groups were not statistically significant. One of the examiners observed these same statistically significant differences after 1 year. In conclusion, the results of this clinical trial indicated that while no difference in caries increments was observed between the low-NaF and control groups, both the high-NaF and the SnF₂-HMP groups experienced significantly fewer lesions than the control group.