Comparative evaluation of Stevia and Xylitol chewing gum on salivary Streptococcus mutans count ? A pilot study

Stevia is a natural sweetener which is used as sugar substitute. It has been suggested that stevia may be anticariogenic. However, there is limited research in this regard. Hence, the present study was designed to assess reduction in S. mutans in stevia and xylitol chewing gums. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of stevia and xylitol chewing gums on salivary Streptococcus mutans count. A randomized triple blinded clinical study with a crossover design included twenty healthy children aged 8-13 years with decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft)/DMFT index score ? 3. Before the test, unstimulated saliva was collected. Children divided into Group I and II were given Stevia and Xylitol chewing gums respectively. Saliva samples were then collected at 15 min (just after spitting) and after 1 h. The amount of S. mutans in saliva was evaluated using a selective media (TYCSB). The data were subjected to statistical analysis using statistical software IBM SPSS statistics 20.0 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) Reduction in S. mutans was seen from baseline to 1 hour in both groups in trial and crossover design though intergroup comparison was not statistically significant. There was reduction seen from baseline to 15 minutes and 15 minutes to 1 hour in xylitol and stevia group both in trial and crossover design which was statistically significant. Stevia containing chewing gum is equally effective to Xylitol chewing gum in reducing salivary S. mutans counts

Assessment of Problematic Eating Behaviour and Dental Caries in Children

Background/Aim: Eating behaviour in children has wide range from anorexia, to selective eating, fussy eater, neophobic/pouching of food & slow eating. Eating behaviour in childhood has been implicated in the development of dental caries and further affecting the body mass index of the child. The aim was to assess the Problematic Eating Behaviour (PEB) and its association with dental caries status of the child

Health Benefits and Application of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in Dentistry

A wide range of artificial and synthetic products have been replaced by the natural products for daily use. The natural products are believed to have more advantages and less adverse effects. The plant products such as stem, flower, fruit, seed, leaves, etc have been experimented. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a perennial shrub which is a native of South America. During World War II, England used it as a sweetener as sugar was not available. By 1970, it was used as a sweetener in Japan. In 1994, US approved steviol glycosides as functional ingredient in dietary supplements. It is non-caloric sweetener which is 200-300 times sweeter than table sugar. Its use as a sweetener was approved by FDA in 2011. There is growing evidence supporting the use of stevia in diabetes, hypertension, weight loss, etc. Dental caries is an infectious microbiologic disease of the tooth that results in localized dissolution and destruction of calcified tissues. There has been an increased interest on antimicrobial and anti-plaque activity of stevia mouth rinse and chewing gums. Researches on the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of stevia have also been conducted to evaluate its potential advantages in the dental field. This review describes in detail the health benefits and application of stevia in dentistry. Keywords: Stevia, Dental, Medica

Neonatal osteomyelitis: An unusual complication of natal tooth extraction

Osteomyelitis of mandible, if it affects the neonate presents as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the clinician. Symptoms and signs are often non-specific, and the consequences of a missed diagnosis could lead to long-lasting functional limitations. A rare case of a 52 days old infant with osteomyelitis of the mandible following natal tooth extraction is presented in this report. The diagnosis, pathogenesis and management have been explained. The accompanying review briefly summarizes the main clinical, pathophysiological and radiological aspects of the condition and gives an update on the treatment

Evaluation of dental anxiety in children with Down's syndrome using dog-assisted therapy: A pilot study

Background: Dental anxiety and fear are the major treatment challenges faced by pediatric dentists. Oral hygiene in children with Down's syndrome is highly compromised in comparison to their healthy counterparts. Animal-assisted therapy, through dogs, has been beneficial in alleviating dental fear and anxiety in healthy pediatric population. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of dog-assisted therapy (DAT) on children with Down's syndrome undergoing dental examination and fluoride varnish application in dental operatory. Materials and Methods: Twenty children with Down's syndrome between 5 and 12 years of age were selected. Group A (intervention group): DAT was carried out in the dental operatory. Group B (control group): Dental treatment was performed in the absence of a therapy dog in the dental operatory. Anxiety levels were evaluated by recording the pulse rate and revised modified faces version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDAS[f]). Statistical Analysis: The intergroup comparison of pulse rate was done using an unpaired t-test, whereas the variation in intragroup pulse rate was analyzed using the Analysis of Variance test. The anxiety scores were subjected to a paired t-test for intragroup comparison with P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. Results: Reduction in dental anxiety was observed in the intervention group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: DAT can be used as an effective behavior management technique for children with Down's syndrome undergoing dental examination and simple dental procedures in the dental operatory