title: Oral hygiene grade and quality of life in children with chemotherapy-related oral mucositis: a randomized study on the impact of a fluoride toothpaste with salivary enzymes, essential oils, proteins and colostrum extract versus a fluoride toothpaste without menthol.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the use of a fluoride toothpaste (Bioxtra®, Biopharm, Milan, Italy) with salivary enzymes, essential oils, proteins and colostrum extract versus a fluoride toothpaste without menthol on the oral hygiene grade and on the quality of life (QoL) of children with oral mucositis (OM) grade 1 or 2 receiving chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients between 6 and 14 years with OM were randomly assigned to two groups, group A (Bioxtra®toothpaste) and group B (fluoride toothpaste without menthol). The patients were instructed to brush their teeth at least twice a day using a soft toothbrush with a small head. Oral hygiene grade was assessed using the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-s); quality of life was assessed using the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaires. The patients were evaluated on day 1(diagnosis of OM-T0) and on day 8 (T1). Statistical analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 64 patients were enrolled. A significant difference (P < 0.001) between the mean of the OHI-s in group A (0.9 ± 1.2) and in group B (1.5 ± 1.3) was found; the overall OHIP-14 scores were not associated with the use of one or the other toothpaste (P = 0.33).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the use of Bioxtra®toothpaste does not affect the QoL of children undergoing chemotherapy, it may be recommended as clinically effective in improving the oral hygiene grade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Dental School, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy. elena.bardellini@unibs.it.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bardellini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Dental School, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amadori
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Dental School, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majorana
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003126:Colostrum / Q000378:metabolism; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008610:Menthol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D011506:Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012463:Saliva / Q000201:enzymology; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C460819:BioXtra; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D011506:Proteins; D014100:Toothpastes; D008610:Menthol; D005459:Fluorides
keywords: colostrum; mucositis; toothpastes