Preliminary findings on the correlation of saliva pH, buffering capacity, flow rate and consistency in relation to waterpipe tobacco smoking

The aim of the present comparative study was to compare some salivary characteristics between exclusive waterpipe smokers (EWPS) and non-smokers. 72 males (36 EWPS) were recruited. The volume of stimulated saliva was determined and divided by the duration of saliva collection. The pH was measured directly using a pH meter. The buffering capacity was determined using a quantitative method which involved the addition of 10 μl HCl. Up to a total of 160 μL was titrated up to obtain a pH titration curve. At 50 μL of titrated HCl, buffering capacity was ranked into three categories: high, medium and low. EWPS and nonsmoker groups had similar flow rates (1.81 ± 0.79 and 1.78 ± 1.14 mL min-1) and similar baseline pH (6.60 ± 0.37 and 6.76 ± 0.39). Statistically significant differences in the two groups’ pH were observed from 30 to 160 μL of titrated up HCl. At 50 μL of titrated up HCl, the EWPS group compared to the non-smoker group had a significantly higher pH (4.79 ± 0.72 vs. 5.32 ± 0.79). To conclude, waterpipe tobacco smoking alters the buffering capacity but does not alter either salivary flow rates or the baseline pH and consistency

Letter to the Editor: Critical analysis of the published literature about the effects of narghile use on oral health

No Abstrac

Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects of Waterpipe on Oral Health Status: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A worldwide increase in waterpipe consumption can be observed. The present systematic review aims to assess cytotoxic and genotoxic impacts on oral health related to waterpipe smoking. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Dimensions evaluating if waterpipe smokers (P) have any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects on oral cells (I) compared to non-smokers (C) regarding mouth neoplasms (O). PRISMA guidelines were adopted for the current systematic review. Review Manager was utilized for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). A risk of bias and summary were performed to assess the grade of the 20 included articles. With some of the articles included, a forest plot was created in different levels. Waterpipe smoking is harmful to oral health, causing cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on oral cells with a Risk Difference of 0.16. It causes a series of detrimental cellular and genetic modifications such as acanthosis, epithelial dysplasia, and hyperparakeratosis. Changes in DNA methylation and p53 expression were assessed among others. In addition, waterpipe has a bunch of carcinogenic compounds. Even with few publications on the subject, articles are very devastating in confirming the carcinogenicity of waterpipe smoking. Waterpipe smoke is cytotoxic and genotoxic. Due to the release of many organic compounds, it increases the incidence of oral cancer.Keywords: Mouth Neoplasms; Oral Health; Smoking Water Pipes; Tobacco Use; Toxicity Measure

The impacts of Ramadan intermittent fasting on saliva flow-rate and metabolic data: A systematic review

Human saliva is a biofluid produced and secreted by the major and minor salivary glands. The major salivary glands are the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, responsible for more than 90% of salivary secretions, and the minor glands are distributed throughout the oral mucosa surfaces. Saliva plays an essential role in oral cavity maintenance and functionality, and it represents a mirror reflecting both oral and systemic health. Salivary secretions are composed of water, electrolytes, and several biomolecules, including proteins, enzymes, exosomes, nuclear acids, hormones, and cellular components. Many studies have demonstrated that the composition of saliva varies depending on the type of stimulation, the short-term acute mental stress, the taste and smell, and the daily and seasonal circadian rhythms. Hence, recurrent circadian fasting during Ramadan (i.e.; Ramadan intermittent fasting) may modify the salivary parameters. The aim of this systematic review will be to report the impacts of Ramadan intermittent fasting on salivary flow-rate and metabolic parameters

Periodontal bone height of exclusive narghile smokers compared with exclusive cigarette smokers

Objective: To compare the periodontal bone height (PBH) of exclusive narghile smokers (ENS) with that of exclusive cigarette smokers (ECS). Methods: Tunisian males aged 20–35 years who have been ENS for more than five narghile-years or ECS for more than five pack-years were recruited to participate in this comparative cross-sectional study. Information about oral health habits and tobacco consumption were gathered using a predetermined questionnaire. Plaque levels were recorded in four sites using the plaque index of Loe and Silness. The PBH was measured mesially and distally from digital panoramic radiographs of each tooth and expressed as a percentage of the root length. A PBH level ≤0.70 was applied as a cutoff reference value signifying bone loss. Student t-test and Chi2 test were used to compare quantitative and qualitative data of both groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the ENS (n=60) and ECS (n=60) groups regarding age and the consumed quantities of tobacco (28±4 vs. 27±5 years, 7±3 narghile-years vs. 8±3 pack-years, respectively). Compared with the ECS group, the ENS group had a significantly higher plaque index (mean±SD values were 1.54±0.70 vs. 1.84±0.73, respectively). However, the two groups had similar means of PBH (0.85±0.03 vs. 0.86±0.04) and tooth brushing frequencies (1.1±0.8 vs. 0.9±0.6 a day, respectively) and had similar bone loss frequencies (15% vs. 12%, respectively). Conclusions: Both ENS and ECS exhibited the same PBH reduction, which means that both types of tobacco smoking are associated with periodontal bone loss

Whitening Efficacy of 3% Carbamide Peroxide Gel Activated by Lactoperoxidase

Objective. The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a whitening toothpaste containing 3% carbamide peroxide and lactoperoxidase. Materials and methods. Participants were instructed to brush their teeth using an enzymatic-activated dentifrice following a particular procedure for three weeks. Color was recorded before and after treatment using a VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer. Differences in L∗ (tooth color lightness), a∗ (displacement along the red-green axis), and b∗ (displacement along the yellow-blue axis) were measured before and after treatment using the paired t and the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Color changes (ΔE) were calculated using the obtained measurements. Results. Thirty-four volunteers were included. ΔE was 4.03. For the set of 348 teeth, a greater tendency towards green (lower a∗) and blue (lower b∗) was observed (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in lightness after treatment. Mandibular central incisors showed a greater tendency towards green (lower a∗) and blue (lower b∗). Bleaching effectiveness was observed in both the upper and lower central incisors and in the lateral mandibular incisors. Conclusion. Based on these results, it may be concluded that brushing with an enzymatic-activated dentifrice is effective for whitening teeth

Involvement of Tunisian General Practitioners in the Management of Patients at Risk of Infective Endocarditis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives. This work aimed to estimate the knowledge and practice of general dentists in the governorate of Manouba regarding the management of patients at risk of infective endocarditis. Materials and Methods. A survey involving private sector general dentists in the governorate of Manouba was performed. It contained 21 questions, and it was addressed to 111 dentists. Only 82 dentists responded. To carry out the descriptive study, we used the SPSS software version 21.0. Results. Our results proved the lack of knowledge among dentists in the governorate of Manouba with regard to the management of patients at risk of infective endocarditis. An overestimation of the risk and an overprescription of antibiotic were found in order to ensure an over-protection for the patients as well as the dentist. In fact, 85.4% of these dentists prescribed antibiotic prophylaxis for the two groups of patients (high risk and moderate risk). Only 9.8% followed the right modality of antibiotic prophylaxis prescription; 4.9% of the dentists prescribed antibiotic only 1 hour before the act and 4.9% of them prescribed antibiotic 1 hour before the act and continued the treatment in case of the presence of an infectious site. Conclusion. A discrepancy towards an over-estimation of risk and overprescription of antibiotic was found between the recommendations and real practice. Similar studies in the other governorates of Tunisia are recommended in order to better understand the problem

Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle seed oil: chromatographic characterization by GC-FID and HS-SPME-GC-MS, physicochemical parameters, and pharmacological bioactivities

This study aimed to identify the physicochemical and the chemical properties of Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle seed oil and to evaluate its in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities and in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The fatty acids' composition was determined using GC-FID. The oil was screened for antioxidant activity by DPPH test. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities were determined using the acetic acid writhing test in mice and the carrageenan-induced paw edema assay in rats, respectively. Volatile compounds were characterized by HS-SPME-GC-MS. A. altissima produces seeds which yielded 17.32% of oil. The seed oil was characterized by a saponification number of 192.6 mg KOH∙g of oil, a peroxide value of 11.4 meq O2∙kg of oil, a K232 of 4.04, a K270 of 1.24, and a phosphorus content of 126.2 ppm. The main fatty acids identified were palmitic (3.06%), stearic (1.56%), oleic (38.35%), and linoleic acids ones (55.76%). The main aroma compounds sampled in the headspace were carbonyl derivatives. The oil presents an important antioxidant activity (IC50 = 24.57 μg/mL) and a modest antimicrobial activity. The seed oil at 1 g/kg showed high analgesic (91.31%) and anti-inflammatory effects (85.17%). The presence of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and the noteworthy antioxidant capacity of the seed oil can hypothesize its use as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent