Fogorvosi szemle, 2009 (102. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)
2009-04-01 / 2. szám
FOGORVOSI SZEMLE ■ 102. évf. 2. sz. 2009. 69-77. 5th Preventive Dental Conference November 13-15, 2008. Budapest, Hungary Abstracts of the lectures delivered on the Conference The 5th Preventive Dental Conference was held in Budapest on 13-15th November, 2008. The main aim of the conference was to review and summarise current knowledge in key areas of preventive dentistry. The messages should have been evidence-based and valid worldwide. The scientific programme was extensive and stimulating. Outstanding speakers were invited from all over the world to present the most important preventive messages and oral health promotion strategies to the audience. On behalf of the Organizing Committee, special appreciation is extended to all the lecturers contributing to the success of the above conference. We are particularly grateful to the Editor-in-chief of Fogorvosi Szemle (official journal of the Hungarian Dental Association) for publishing the English language abstracts of the presentations delivered on the Conference. Judit Szőke President of the Conference CHLORHEXIDINE: NEARLY 40 YEARS OF CHEMICAL PREVENTION Addy Martin University of Bristol, Bristol, UK The definitive publication of 1970 on 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth rinse suggested that mechanical tooth cleaning could be replaced by chemical plaque control. Perhaps today, chemical plaque control, particularly using vehicles other than toothpaste, is seen as either a short/medium replacement or adjunct to mechanical cleaning. Chlorhexidine is the most researched antimicrobial antiplaque agent and, over nearly 40 years, has found numerous applications in preventive dentistry: arguably it is still considered the “Gold Standard” antiplaque agent. It is the long persistence of action (substantivity) of chlorhexidine through adsorption to tooth surfaces, which explains the superiority in plaque control over other agents with similar or even greater antimicrobial spectra. The dicationic nature of the molecule prevents systemic absorption and therefore safety of chlorhexidine. Unfortunately, chlorhexidine has local side effects notably extrinsic tooth and tongue discolouration and taste perturbation. Staining results from interaction of the antiseptic with common dietary chromogens and is therefore difficult to prevent through abstinence. Attempts have been made to chemically modify chlorhexidine oral care products to reduce or prevent staining. Thus far, reductions in staining have resulted in equivalent or greater loss in antiplaque activity. Successes in the antimicrobial approach to chemical plaque control over decades have been relatively few and chlorhexidine remains the leader. The alternative chemical antiadhesive or plaque removal approaches have yielded even fewer successes but the search for a successor to chlorhexidine continues. FUNCTIONAL FOODS AND DENTAL CARIES Arav Lorraine Paris, France Latest research has concentrated on identifying foods or ingredients that could promote oral health and/or prevent oral diseases. Scientific evidence demonstrates that antimicrobial phytochemicals present in foods such as tea, cranberries, raisins and others can affect the metabolism, acidogenicity and accumulation of dental plaque. However, using foods to bring active ingredients into the mouth is fraught with difficulty because of the rapid clearance related to salivary flow. Saliva is key to chewing, taste, digestion and speech. It is a lubricant containing antimicrobial agents and a supersaturated reservoir of biomaterials. Stimulated saliva obtained from chewing gums contains more buffer and minerals; their use after a meal or a snack can reduce the cariogenic challenge and enhance the remineralization process.
