Salivary Markers and Microbial Flora in Mouth Breathing Late Adolescents

Abstract

Objective This is a 6-month observational case-control study that aims to estimate plaque index (PI), salivary flow, buffering capacity of saliva, and specific Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus rates in a mouth breathing late adolescents sample, after a professional oral hygiene procedure and home oral hygiene instructions. Subjects and Methods A sample of 20 mouth breathing late adolescents/young adults (average: 19.2 ± 2.5; range: 18–23 years) and a matched control group of nose breathing subjects (average: 18.3 ± 3.2; range 18–23 years) were included in the study. All the participants were subjected to a professional oral hygiene procedure and appropriate home oral hygiene instructions (t0). After three months (t1) and six months (t2), the PI, salivary flow, buffering capacity of saliva, and S. mutans and Lactobacilli rates were recorded. Results The mean buffering capacity of saliva and the salivary flow rate showed no significant difference between the two groups, all over the observational period. For PI, a significantly higher mode (score 1 of PI) was observed in the study group at t1 (score 0 = 35% of subjects; score 1 = 60%; score 2 = 5%) and t2 (score 1 = 65% of subjects, score 2 = 35%), with respect to control group. Furthermore, mouth breathing subjects show a significant 4 times higher risk to develop S. mutans CFU > 105 (CI lower limit: 0.95; CI upper limit: 9.48; chi-square: 4.28; p = 0.03), with respect to the control subjects. Conclusions Mouth breathing late adolescents show a significantly higher risk to develop S. mutans CFU > 105 and an increased level of PI. Interceptive orthodontic treatments in growing subjects, like palatal expansion, are encouraged to improve the nasal air flow. In older subjects, orthodontic treatments should be performed with removable appliances like clear aligners, in order to allow a better oral hygiene level.

Oral Hygiene in a Sample of Children/Adolescents Living in Family-Homes from the Province of Milan (Italy): A Pilot Study

“…In particular, they were instructed on the necessity of oral hygiene, particularly during adolescence, because their microbiota is composed of cariogenic bacteria and periodontal bacteria, and are subjected to high prevalence of carious lesion [22][23][24][25].…”

Salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli and other salivary indices in patients wearing clear aligners versus fixed orthodontic appliances: An observational study

“…While exclusion criteria were carefully applied to exclude potential confounders [25], this study has some limitations because only subjects with Angle class I malocclusion with low/ mild level of crowding were included, and consequently it wasn't possible to analyze the type of malocclusion as confounding factor and the present results are limited to young adult subjects with Angle class I malocclusion and low/mild level of crowding and further studies are needed to generalize them to other types of malocclusion. Similarly, no certain data were included about the compliance of the participants regarding home oral hygiene procedure, although proper instructions were given to all the participants.…”

<p>CAD/CAM Customized Glass Fiber Post and Core With Digital Intraoral Impression: A Case Report</p>

“…3 Also, saliva due to an important role in microbial oral flora regulation. [4][5][6] After endodontic treatment, a proper restorative technique is necessary to ensure coronal seal 7,8 and protection of residual dental structure; 9 teeth which have lost two or more walls need to be restored with posts to increase retention and stability of final restoration. 10−12 Several materials have been proposed to build posts; metallic posts belong to I and II generations, fiber, ceramic and zirconium oxide are III and IV generations.…”