Occurrence of root caries in relation to specific dental health habits (Oral hygiene practice) in adult population (30-70) years in Mosul city, Iraq

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of root surface caries (RSC) and a subject's dental health habits such as the frequency of tooth brushing and the use of other cleaning aids such as chewing stick and the dental floss in the adult population aged(30-70) years in Mosul city. A sample of (1270) subjects [719 (56.6%) males and 551 (43.4%) females] were collected randomly from different eight factories, seven primary schools, eight secondary schools and five colleges from Mosul University. According to age, the sample was divided into four age groups (30-39, 40-19, 50-59 and 60-69 years). The results of the study revealed that subjects with RSC in the young age group (30-39 years) claimed to brush their teeth once a day and twice a day or more, whereas subjects with RSC in the old age group (60-69 years) claimed to brush their teeth infrequently. Statistically, the differences between subjects with and without RSC were significant for all age groups. The study showed that generally subjects with and without RSC who claimed never use other cleaning aids reported higher percentage that those who used other cleaning aids. Indeed, those who claimed to use chewing stick displayed high rate than those who use dental floss. It was concludedthat dental health behavior influence root caries occurrence and that caries on root surface is associated with poor dental health habits