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Aim: To examine whether functional gene polymorphisms of toll‐like receptor (TLR)1, TLR2, and TLR6 are related to the salivary concentrations of human beta‐defensins (hBDs)‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and human neutrophilic peptide (HNP)‐1. Materials and Methods: Polymorphisms of TLR1 (rs5743618), TLR2 (rs5743708), and TLR6 (rs5743810) were genotyped by PCR‐based pyrosequencing from the salivary samples of 230 adults. Salivary hBD‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and HNP‐1 concentrations were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. General and periodontal health examinations, including panoramic radiography, were available for all participants. Results: The genotype frequencies for wild types and variant types were as follows: 66.5% and 33.5% for TLR1, 95.5% and 4.5% for TLR2, and 25.1% and 74.9% for TLR6, respectively. The TLR2 heterozygote variant group exhibited higher salivary hBD‐2 concentrations than the TLR2 wild‐type group (p =.038). On the contrary, elevated hBD‐2 concentrations were detected in the TLR6 wild‐type group compared with the TLR6 heterozygote and homozygote variant group (p =.028). The associations between TLR6 genotypes and salivary hBD‐2 concentrations remained significant after adjusting them for periodontal status, age, and smoking. Conclusion: hBD‐2 concentrations in saliva are related to TLR2 and TLR6 polymorphisms, but only the TLR6 genotype seems to exhibit an independent association with the salivary hBD‐2 concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim High-density lipoprotein ( HDL) cholesterol is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in protection against cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether a protective association also exists between serum HDL and periodontal inflammation in type 1 diabetic subjects ( T1DM). Methods Plaque and periodontal inflammation (bleeding and PD ≥ 4 mm) were examined in 80 subjects with T1DM. The serum levels of glycosylated haemoglobin ( HbA1c, %) and HDL (mmol/l) were determined. Adjusted associations between inflammation and serum HDL were analysed using linear regression analysis. To study the linearity of the association, the subjects were categorized into HDL tertiles ( I-III). Results A statistically significant negative association was observed between serum HDL level and the extent of bleeding and PD ≥ 4 mm. Subjects in HDL tertiles II and III (high HDL) presented significantly fewer inflamed sites when compared with the subjects in tertile I (low HDL), whereas no significant difference in the number of inflamed sites was observed between tertiles II and III. Conclusions Based on the finding of a negative association between serum HDL and periodontal inflammation, HDL may be considered a marker of susceptibility to periodontal inflammation. A longitudinal study is needed to verify possible causal relationship between serum HDL and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether an association exists between daily smoking and infrequent toothbrushing habits among adolescents. Materials and Methods: Nationally representative samples of 14-, 16- and 18-year-old Finns (N = 5643) took part in the survey. A 12-page structured questionnaire was posted to the adolescents, asking them to complete it and return it in an enclosed prepaid envelope. The χ²-test and a logistic regression model were used for analyses. Results: At the age of 14 years, 8.5% reported smoking daily, at 16 years 25.0% and at 18 years 33.2%. Only 28.3-54.7% of the adolescents reported brushing their teeth more than once a day. Among 14-year-olds, 6.5% of the adolescents reported both smoking daily and brushing less than twice a day. The respective figures were 17.7% for the 16-year-olds and 21.6% for the 18-year-olds. Among the 14-year-olds, the strongest association with smoking daily and brushing less than twice a day was found with low school performance (OR = 8.2), and among 16- and 18-year-olds school career (studying at a vocational school, OR = 3.4). Conclusion: Daily smoking and infrequent toothbrushing are strongly associated in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body weight and periodontal infection in a longitudinal setting. Material and methods: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey that included dentate, non-diabetic subjects aged 30-59 years, who had never smoked and who had participated in the Follow-Up Study on Finnish Adults' Oral Health approximately 4 years later (n=396). The number of new teeth with deepened (4 mm deep or deeper) periodontal pockets in the follow-up examination was used as the outcome variable. Body weight was measured using body mass index, categorized into three categories: <25.0 (normal weight), 25.0-29.9 (overweight) and 30.0 or more (obesity). Incidence rate ratios were estimated using Poisson's regression models. Results: Body weight was weakly, but not statistically significantly, associated with the number of new teeth with deepened periodontal pockets among subjects who were periodontally healthy in the baseline examinations, whereas only a minuscule association was found among subjects who had periodontal infection at baseline. Conclusions: The results of this follow-up study do not provide evidence that overweight and obesity can be considered significant risk factors in the pathogenesis of periodontal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and oral health, and the role of oral health-related behaviours in this relationship. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 5401 dentate adults who participated in the nationally representative Health 2000 Survey in Finland. The survey gathered information on SOC, demographic characteristics, education, income, preexisting diabetes, daily smoking, dental attendance, toothbrushing frequency and sugar intake frequency. Oral health was assessed through clinical outcomes, such as number of teeth, number of decayed teeth and extent of periodontal pockets and perceived oral health. Results: A strong SOC was related to having more teeth, fewer decayed teeth, lower extent of periodontal pockets and good perceived oral health after adjustment for confounders, such as demographic and socioeconomic factors (all p⩽0.003). These associations were attenuated but remained significant after further adjustment for potential mediators (oral health-related behaviours), except for the association of SOC with the extent of periodontal pockets, which was fully accounted for by pre-existing diabetes, oral health-related behaviours and dental plaque (p = 0.549). Conclusion: SOC is positively associated with various aspects of adult oral health, in part because of the better oral health-related behaviours among people with a strong SOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]