Relationship between oral hygiene and the activity of dentinal caries after applying propolis fluoride on primary teeth

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the efficacies of propolis fluoride in inhibiting caries activity and score plaque in dentinal caries surfaces of primary teeth. A total of 149 children aged 36-71 months were examined to obtain dentinal caries active surface and dental plaque scores. Subsequently, propolis fluoride was smeared on the active dentinal caries surface, and dental health education was provided to patients and family by a teacher regarding decreasing the dental plaque score. After one month, the plaque score was re-evaluated for dentinal caries surfaces. Significant differences were analyzed with a Wilcoxon Test, while the significant correlation between the efficacy of Propolis Fluoride in inhibiting caries activity and score plaque in dentinal caries surfaces were analyzed by Spearman’s correlation. After propolis fluoride application in one-month evaluation showed that the mean score plaque in dentinal caries surfaces decreased significantly from 1.78 to 1.48 (p < 0.05), the baseline of 149 children had an active decay surface mean of 9 tooth surfaces. After one-month intervention with both tooth brushing and smeared Propolis Fluoride on the active dentinal caries surface the mean of active dentinal caries decreased significantly to 3 surfaces of active dentinal caries (p < 0.05), reflecting a mean where 71,5% of dentinal caries active surfaces were arrested/to be stop. Statistically, there was a significant positive correlation r = 0,17 between a decrease of score plaque in dentinal caries surfaces by tooth brushing to a good oral hygiene, reflected in dentinal caries surfaces by smearing propolis fluoride to be arrested/stop. The efficacy of propolis fluoride for dental caries treatment is better with good oral hygiene which is characterized by a low plaque score, reflecting a higher effect for a propolis fluoride smear on active dentinal caries surface to be arrested/ stop.