BACKGROUND:Circular caries occurs in the earliest age of the children (1 - 1.5 year), immediately after the eruption of the deciduous teeth. During this period, children are too young to be able to properly implement oral hygiene. Consequently, it is at a negligible level, with plenty of soft plaque on the deciduous tooth surfaces.OBJECTIVE:The main objective of this clinical trial was to determine the correlation between oral hygiene shown with Oral Hygiene index, and the initial stages of circular caries (initial lesion and superficial form), before and after topical fluoride treatment.MATERIAL AND METHODS:For determination of the OHI - index we used the method of Green - Vermillion. It was determined two times in 117 patients, during the first visit and immediately before physiological replacement of deciduous teeth. Patients were two to three years old and diagnosed with initial stages of circular caries. Amino fluoride solution was applied once a week, during six months.RESULTS:We obtained statistically significant improvement of OHI - index at the end of the test, among treated subjects from both major groups.CONCLUSION:It can be concluded that the level of oral hygiene is correlated with the progression of changes in enamel. Topical fluoride treatment has a positive impact on reducing ECC.

SUMMARY In the recent 20 years, besides dramatic reduction of caries in many

Early childhood caries (circular caries) can occur at an early age, with the eruption of deciduous teeth of the age of 1 to 1.5 years old. This is a multifactorial dental disease that has become a worldwide problem with high prevalence in recent decades. The purpose of the study was clinical evaluation of the remineralizing effect of the topical treatment, in patients with starting stages of circular caries. This study was conducted at the Clinic for Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Skopje, and included 117 patients of both sexes, with the starting stages of circular caries. They were aged of 1.5 to 3.5 years old, with a fully formed primary tooth. It was selected 61 patients with initial lesion – white spot and 56 patients with superficial form. From both groups 30 patients were treated with topical fluoride preparation, for a period of six months, applied once a week. The remaining patients had regular check-ups and instructions, but they did not undergo fluoride treatment. After the fluoride treatment, we followed the remineralizing effect, i.e. which initial lesions were reversed or where the intracrystal spaces were filled and the crystals were repaired after six months of topical application. In some patients who were able to satisfy other preventative factors, we were able to obtain a clinical picture of complete remineralization on initial lesion (restitution ad integrum) in vivo, approximately similar to a healthy tooth. How successful the remineralization will be depends on the predominant, protective, or pathogenic factors. Keywords: circular caries, early childhood caries, remineralization, initial lesion, white spot

Early childhood caries occurs immediately after the eruption of deciduous teeth. During this period, children are too young to be able to properly implement oral hygiene. Consequently, it is at a negligible level, with plenty of soft plaque on the deciduous tooth surfaces. The objective of this investigation was to determine the correlation between oral hygiene (shown with the OHI index) and the initial stages of early childhood caries: initial lesion (white spot) and superficial form, before and after local fluoride treatment. Material and methods: For determining the OHI index among our examinees we used the method of Green-Vermillion. It was determined in 117 examinees twice, during the first visit and immediately before physiological replacement of deciduous teeth. Patients were two to three years of age, diagnosed with initial stages of early childhood caries and fluoride preparate (amino fluoride solution) was applied once a week, for 6 months. Results: In 30 subjects treated with local fluoride treatment from both basic groups (with initial and superficial lesions), just before the physiological change of the teeth, we received a statistically significant improvement in the OHI index (p = 0.000038; p = 0.00006) at the end from the examination. Conclusion: From the conducted analysis of the obtained results, we can conclude that the level of oral hygiene is correlated with the progression of changes in the enamel. Oral hygiene and fluoride treatment significantly reduce soft tissue levels and improve the OHI index.

Goal: To indicate the fact that food containing refined sugars impacts dental health depending on the frequency and the time of its consumption and the conduct of oral hygiene. Materials and methods: For the accomplishment of our goal, we have polled children from the 2 nd grade, from both rural and urban areas, regarding their diet and consumption of foods rich in refined sugars. Then we arranged a systematic checkup of the teeth in which we recorded the condition of the teeth and we have made fissures sealing of all erupted and healthy permanent first molars. Those same respondents had previously received education regarding their diet and the impact refined sugars would have on their oral health. Results: In respondents from urban settings we noted: 28.8% consumed foods rich in refined sugars on a daily basis. The systematic checkup showed decent oral hygiene and a high percentage of healthy primary and permanent teeth i.e. 46.8%. The Decayed, Missing or Filled Teeth (DMFT) score valued 0.44. In respondents from rural settings we noted: 75.2% consumed pastries and sweets on a daily basis. The systematic checkup yielded poor oral hygiene and a small number of children with healthy primary and permanent teeth i.e. 9.7%. A high percentage (75.3%) of children had carious primary and permanent teeth, and many of them had unsanitary permanent first molars. The DMFT valued 0.88. Conclusion: A diet containing a huge amount of refined sugars negatively impacts the oral health and condition of teeth. However, poor oral hygiene contributes to the high percentage of carious primary and permanent teeth