This cross-over study was conducted to assess the germ-killing efficacy of an essential oil mouthrinse (EOM) by determining the blood levels of microorganisms associated with induced bacteremia and investigating the prevalence of this event in Brazilians with mild-to-moderate gingivitis. Thirty four (31.19%) subjects positive for bacteremia induced by chewing a ration of apple were enrolled out of 109 screened subjects (50 males and 59 females). A difference of at least 10 colony forming units between the pre- and post-insult blood samples was defined as a positive result. For the following two weeks patients underwent a toothbrush plus fluoride dentifrice normalization period, and were then scheduled for the Phase I protocol as follows. At baseline I, subjects were instructed to chew a new apple ration, had new blood samples taken before and after this oral stimulus, and were randomly assigned to an experimental essential oil (n = 17) or placebo (P) mouthrinse (n = 17) treatment for 2 weeks. These procedures were repeated at the end of Phase I and then followed by a two-week wash-out period (tooth brushing with fluoride dentifrice). Bacteremia was again induced at baseline and at the end of Phase II, when subjects were crossed-over to the other EOM or placebo groups. Bacterial count differences between baseline and 2-week post-treatment (EOM versus P) in the blood samples collected were assessed by analysis of covariance. Mean aerobic counts decreased by 45.8%, whereas mean anaerobic counts decreased by 63.3% after EOM treatment. After the P treatment, aerobic bacteria increased by 28.4% and anaerobic bacteria decreased by 18.5%. This study validated this novel methodology and showed that the germ-killing action of EOM significantly reduced bacteremia.

Este estudo transversal determinou a condição periodontal e sua associação com fatores de risco em uma amostra de conveniência de 588 indivíduos atendidos na Universidade Guarulhos, entre 1999 e 2003. Características geográficas, demográficas e comportamentais, parâmetros bucais e periodontais foram tabulados e analisados em SPSS 11.5. Os testes t Student e Qui-quadrado determinaram a significância (p < 0,05) das variáveis contínuas e categóricas. O teste de correlação de Pearson correlacionou a ocorrência de doença (PS média > 3,0 mm) com fatores de risco (por exemplo: idade, sexo, fumo) e comportamentais. A análise de regressão linear multivariada determinou a associação entre exposição aos fatores de risco e doença. A população estudada com média de idade de 36,1 ± 14,5 anos foi composta principalmente por mulheres (72,1%) e minoria fumante (13,3%). Os valores médios de dentes ausentes e profundidade de sondagem (PS) foram de 5,7 ± 5,9 dentes e 2,2 ± 0,8 mm, respectivamente. A prevalência de PS > 3,0mm (valor referência) foi de 13,5%; e a distribuição regional da população de acordo com este critério foi: centro, 2,0%; zona oeste, 17,8%; zona leste, 38,0%; zona sul, 6,7% ; e zona norte, 35,5%. As freqüências médias dos índices de placa e sangramento a sondagem foram de 75,3% e 34,1%, respectivamente. A condição periodontal exibiu correlação com idade, fumo e presença de biofilme supragengival. Exceto pela última, estas variáveis também mostraram associação pela análise de regressão multivariada. A população estudada exibiu elevado grau de inflamação gengival e baixo percentual de bolsas periodontais, estando a condição periodontal associada à idade e ao hábito de fumar.

This cross-sectional study determined the periodontal status and its association with risk factors in a convenience sample of 588 subjects seen at the dental clinic of Guarulhos University from 1999 to 2003. To reach the study objectives, geographic, demographic and behavioral characteristics, as well as, oral and periodontal parameters were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS. Chi-square and Student's t tests determined significance (p < 0.05) of continuous and categorical variables. Pearson's correlation test correlated disease (PPD mean > 3mm) with risk (age, sex, smoking) and behavioral factors. Multivariate linear regression evaluated the association between risk factors and periodontal disease. The study population presented a mean age of 36.1 ± 14.5 years, and was primarily comprised women (72.1%), while smokers were minority (13.3%). The mean number of missing teeth and periodontal probing depth (PPD) were 5.7 ± 5.9 teeth and 2.2 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. The prevalence of PPD > 3.0mm was 13.5% and the regional distribution of the population following the same cut-off point was: center 2.0%, west zone 17.8%, east zone 38.0%, south zone 6.7%, and north zone 35.5%. The average indices for plaque and bleeding on probing were 75.3% and 34.1%, respectively. Periodontal status was correlated with age, smoking habits and presence of supragingival biofilm. However, the latter did not show association when entered on the multivariate analysis, in contrast with the others. The study population showed high levels of gingival inflammation and a low percentage of periodontal pockets. Periodontal status was associated with smoking habits and age.

Este estudo transversal determinou a condição periodontal e sua associação com fatores de risco em uma amostra de conveniência de 588 indivíduos atendidos na Universidade Guarulhos, entre 1999 e 2003. Características geográficas, demográficas e comportamentais, parâmetros bucais e periodontais foram tabulados e analisados em SPSS 11.5. Os testes t Student e Qui-quadrado determinaram a significância (p < 0,05) das variáveis contínuas e categóricas. O teste de correlação de Pearson correlacionou a ocorrência de doença (PS média > 3,0 mm) com fatores de risco (por exemplo: idade, sexo, fumo) e comportamentais. A análise de regressão linear multivariada determinou a associação entre exposição aos fatores de risco e doença. A população estudada com média de idade de 36,1 ± 14,5 anos foi composta principalmente por mulheres (72,1%) e minoria fumante (13,3%). Os valores médios de dentes ausentes e profundidade de sondagem (PS) foram de 5,7 ± 5,9 dentes e 2,2 ± 0,8 mm, respectivamente. A prevalência de PS > 3,0mm (valor referência) foi de 13,5%; e a distribuição regional da população de acordo com este critério foi: centro, 2,0%; zona oeste, 17,8%; zona leste, 38,0%; zona sul, 6,7% ; e zona norte, 35,5%. As freqüências médias dos índices de placa e sangramento a sondagem foram de 75,3% e 34,1%, respectivamente. A condição periodontal exibiu correlação com idade, fumo e presença de biofilme supragengival. Exceto pela última, estas variáveis também mostraram associação pela análise de regressão multivariada. A população estudada exibiu elevado grau de inflamação gengival e baixo percentual de bolsas periodontais, estando a condição periodontal associada à idade e ao hábito de fumar.

This cross-sectional study determined the periodontal status and its association with risk factors in a convenience sample of 588 subjects seen at the dental clinic of Guarulhos University from 1999 to 2003. To reach the study objectives, geographic, demographic and behavioral characteristics, as well as, oral and periodontal parameters were tabulated and analyzed using SPSS. Chi-square and Student's t tests determined significance (p < 0.05) of continuous and categorical variables. Pearson's correlation test correlated disease (PPD mean > 3mm) with risk (age, sex, smoking) and behavioral factors. Multivariate linear regression evaluated the association between risk factors and periodontal disease. The study population presented a mean age of 36.1 ± 14.5 years, and was primarily comprised women (72.1%), while smokers were minority (13.3%). The mean number of missing teeth and periodontal probing depth (PPD) were 5.7 ± 5.9 teeth and 2.2 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. The prevalence of PPD > 3.0mm was 13.5% and the regional distribution of the population following the same cut-off point was: center 2.0%, west zone 17.8%, east zone 38.0%, south zone 6.7%, and north zone 35.5%. The average indices for plaque and bleeding on probing were 75.3% and 34.1%, respectively. Periodontal status was correlated with age, smoking habits and presence of supragingival biofilm. However, the latter did not show association when entered on the multivariate analysis, in contrast with the others. The study population showed high levels of gingival inflammation and a low percentage of periodontal pockets. Periodontal status was associated with smoking habits and age.