Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in periodontal status among some naval personnel of Chinese PLA during Gulf of Aden convoy and analyze possible causes. Methods: The changes in oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PLI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), community periodontal index (CPI), tooth mobility (TM), and number of missing teeth (NMT) excluding third molars, and the prevalence of periodontal disease between post-sailing and pre-sailing were measured and analyzed among 186 naval personnel who participated in prolonged sailing. Results: Each periodontal index on post-sailing was significantly higher than that of pre-sailing and there was significant difference between them. Before sailing, total prevalence of periodontal disease was 59.7%. After sailing, normal percentage decreased to 16.7% (P<0.01), total prevalence increased to 83.3%, the percentage of gingivitis and mild periodontitis increased to 38.7%, 27.4% respectively (P<0.05), and the percentage of moderate and severe periodontitis increased to 10.8%, 6.5% respectively (P<0.01). Significant differences were found in all indices between post-sailing and pre-sailing. Conclusions: Our research indicates that prolonged sailing environment, food constraint and poor oral hygiene could notably influence periodontal status of naval personnel. It is essential for periodontal health of naval personnel during prolonged sailing to promote education on oral hygiene, develop the habit of correct tooth brushing and have balanced and rational diet, and perform proper periodontal non-surgical treatment and medication.
Highlights
Periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, which can affect one tooth or many teeth
The p-values of oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were
Normal percentage decreased to 16.7% (P
Summary
Periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, are a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth, which can affect one tooth or many teeth. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, occurs in response to the bacteria in plaque that accumulates near the gum line. It is characterized by redness, swelling or bleeding of the gums. Gingivitis is a painless condition (Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health 2009). Periodontitis is inflammation of the tissues surrounding the tooth affecting the gingiva, the ligaments and the bone, which is caused by a bacterial infection. The infection can cause an abscess and become painful (Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health 2009). Regular dental treatment can prevent moderate periodontitis from progressing to the severe form (Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health 2009)
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