Brushing Frequency Research Articles

Andersen health care utilization model: A survey on factors affecting the utilization of dental health services among school children.

Children's quality of life, academic performance, and future achievement can all be negatively affected by poor dental health. The present study aimed to assess the need for dental health services and the factors influencing their utilization using the Andersen health care utilization model among school children. The current cross-sectional study was conducted among schoolchildren aged 13 to 15 in Bangalore, India (n = 1100). A questionnaire was developed using the concepts of the Andersen healthcare usage model. The parents of the children filled out the questionnaire. The factors were investigated using bivariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. About 78.1% of the children did not utilize dental health services. Regarding the reasons for not visiting a dentist, 65.8% said they did not have a dental problem, and 22.2% said they could not afford it. Bivariate analysis showed that age, gender, education level, occupation of the family's head of household, monthly family income, socioeconomic status, perceived oral health problems, accessibility of dental health facilities, and parental attitudes toward their children's oral health were significantly associated with using dental health services (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed dental health service utilization was directly related to age (OR = 2.206), education, family size (OR = 1.33), and brushing frequency twice a day (OR = 1.575) with no significant relationship between distance to reach the dental facility, the number of dental visits, and socioeconomic status. Dental health service utilization was low in the past year. The age, number of family members, parent's education level, travel time to the dental facility, the child's oral health behaviors, and positive parental attitude all play a role in a children's utilization of dental health service.

Oral hygiene status among 5 to 15-year-old children stomatology National Hospital in Kabul city

: The practice of oral hygiene needs to be strengthened during adolescence, a time when there is a significant change in habits, leading to an increase in the prevalence of tooth decay associated with less frequent brushing. The propose of the study is to determine the oral hygiene status in 5-15-year-old children, the lack of the previous data in this field is one the reasons for conducting this research so that we can provide accurate statistics data in Afghanistan.: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between 5-15-year-old in 431 children of stomatology national hospital of Kabul city. Sample size was selected randomly from both gender group which were 161 males and 270 females. Oral hygiene status was assessed by using simplified-oral hygiene index. Gingival index (loe and silness, 1963) was used for assessing gingival status. dmf and DMF for decayed, missed and filled teeth in primary and permanent dentition used to assess the prevalence of dental caries. Statistical analysis done by SPSS .20.21.2% of children had good oral hygiene status, 65.2% fair oral hygiene and 13.6% had poor oral hygiene. The mean OHI-S was 2.4±1.19. There is no Statistical significant difference between gender and oral hygiene status (p&amp;#60;0.05). The prevalence of dental caries was 80.9%. Boys mean dmf was 4.15±3.03 and it was in girls 3.05±2.67, that shows higher prevalence of dental caries in boys than girls. Overall mean of dmf scores was 3.48±2.86. 173 (40.9%) had normal gums. 31.6% of children not brush their teeth, 37.4% brush once in a day.: Oral hygiene status was fair in more than half of the sample size. High prevalence of dental caries seen in males. Dental caries is a major public health problem and an active and effective dental care prevention program for children is needed.

Does the guideline-based physical activity level for cardiovascular health also benefit periodontal health?

It is unclear about whether the guideline-based physical activity (PA) level for cardiovascular health also benefits periodontal health. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the association between guideline-based PA levels and periodontitis in young adults. This was a cross-sectional study which included 334 military participants, aged 18-44 years in Taiwan. The PA level was assessed by total running time per week (wk) in the past 6 months from a self-reported questionnaire, and was classified as moderate intensity PA <150, 150-299, and ≥300min/wk according to the American guideline for cardiovascular health. Periodontitis was defined based on the 2017 World Workshop. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association with adjustment for age, sex, educational level, tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and teeth brushing frequency. As compared to the PA: 150-299min/wk, the PA <150min/wk was associated with a greater possibility of periodontitis (odds ratio (OR): 2.45 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.24-4.82), whereas the PA ≥300min/wk was not associated with periodontitis (OR: 0.98 (95% CI: 0.13-1.09)) in young adults. The guideline-based moderate intensity PA level ≥150min/wk is found to have superior periodontal health in young adults. However, there is no additional benefit in more exercise time to obtain better periodontal health when the suggested PA level has been achieved.

Factors associated with oral health status in individuals with Asperger syndrome – A cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate oral health and factors that may influence it in individuals with Asperger’s syndrome. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was divided into two stages: a question- naire and an oral examination, using the decayed-missing-filled index, the gingival index, and the simplified oral hygiene index. Data were analyzed using SPSS® software (version 26.0), considering a significance level of 0.05. After verifying the non-normality with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. Results: The investigation included 23 adults with Asperger syndrome. A decayed-miss- ing-filled index of 2.65(±2.81), a gingival index of 1.06(±0.36) and a simplified oral hygiene index of 2.08(±0.73) were found. Most respondents (60.8%) brushed their teeth twice a day. Individuals with higher brushing frequency and those who recently had an oral appointment had lower calculus deposits (p=0.038 and p=0.021, respectively). Conclusions: The individuals had a low dental caries prevalence, mild gingival inflammation, and a fair oral hygiene status. Although there are factors capable of influencing the oral health of these individuals, good results can be obtained if adequate oral hygiene habits are maintained, namely brushing twice a day.

The differential predictive utility of two caregiver-targeted self-efficacy measures to promote oral health of underserved children.

Oral health self-efficacy is a modifiable determinant of early childhood caries, which is one of the most prevalent childhood diseases. Yet, two common measures of self-efficacy (i.e., context-specific and behavior-specific) lack validation and clarity in the prediction of children's oral health behaviors. This study examined the psychometric properties of two caregiver oral health self-efficacy measures and investigated the predictive ability and age-varying effects of caregiver oral health self-efficacy on child oral health behaviors. In this secondary data analysis of caregiver-child dyads (n = 754, Mchild age = 2.4, 56.2% Black or African American, 68.3% below poverty level), caregivers reported their oral health self-efficacy and their child's tooth brushing frequency, diet, and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption at baseline and 4, 12, and 24 months. Psychometrics were examined with confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) and the predictive ability and age-varying effects of caregiver self-efficacy on child oral health behaviors were examined with time-varying effect models (TVEMs). The context- and behavior-specific oral health self-efficacy CFA models indicated mixed model fit. In the predictive TVEM models, greater behavior-specific, but not context-, oral health self-efficacy predicted greater child tooth brushing across all ages. Greater context-specific oral health self-efficacy predicted healthier child diet throughout childhood, but greater behavior-specific self-efficacy only predicted healthier child diet in older children. Greater behavior-specific self-efficacy predicted lower SSB consumption throughout childhood while greater context-specific self-efficacy only predicted lower SSB consumption in younger children. Both caregiver oral health self-efficacy measures were psychometrically comparable and differentially predicted oral health behaviors across varying childhood ages. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The analysis of periodontal diseases and squamous cell esophageal cancer: A retrospective study

AimThe potential links between periodontal disease and various cancers have drawn more and more attention in recent years. The objective of the current study was to investigate any potential associations between parameters of periodontal disease, the number of teeth lost, and the risk of developing squamous cell esophageal cancer in a representative adult sample. Materials and MethodsThe study sample included 178 healthy individuals with matched age and socioeconomic status as controls and 60 patients with the primary histological type of esophageal cancer, Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer. Data were collected from cases and controls on epidemiological factors like age, gender, smoking status, alcohol intake, socio-economic status, level of education, and prior medical/dental history. The clinical data on periodontal health status was obtained through a clinical examination. This data concerned Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), the number of teeth lost, and the common risk factors for Squamous Cell Esophageal Carcinoma. Additionally, univariate, and logistic regression models that were modified for potential confounders were used to estimate unadjacent and adjacent odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). ResultsLower socioeconomic status (p = 0.048) (OR = 1.882, 95% CI = 0.987–3.591), smoking (p = 0.052) (OR = 1.768, 95% CI = 0.931–3.359), moderate and heavy alcohol abuse (p = 0.035) (OR = 1.880, 95% CI = 0.987 3.579), and irregular tooth brushing frequency (p = 0.001) (OR = 0.326, 95% CI = 0.171–0.619) were indeed discovered to be significantly linked. ConclusionIndividuals with lower socio-economic status, smoking, moderate and heavy alcohol consumption, and irregular tooth brushing frequency were significantly associated with Periodontal diseases and Squamous Cell Esophageal Cancer.

Assessment of oral health literacy and oral health-related quality of life in Saudi university students: A cross-sectional study.

Oral health literacy was recognized as important to encouraging oral health and avoiding oral health diseases. It is recognized that socioeconomic conditions are also influential factors in oral health. Therefore, oral health is an important part of individuals' quality of life and general health. This study was conducted to assess oral health literacy (OHL) and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among undergraduate students studying at university. A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out from November to February 2023 among the students of King Khalid University. OHL and OHRQoL were assessed using a Rapid estimate of adult literacy in dentistry-30 (REALD-30) and oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Further, Pearson's correlation tests were used to measure the correlation between REALD-30 and OHIP-14. Among the 394 completed respondents, the majority were aged >20 years (n = 221; 56.09%), aged <20 years (n = 173; 43.91%), female (n = 324; 82.23%) and male (n = 70; 17.7%). Participants from health-related colleges were (n = 343; 87.06%), and other colleges were (n = 51; 12.94%) *p < .04. Participants brushing frequency once daily were (n = 165; 41.88%) twice or more per day (n = 229; 58.12%) *p < .018. The overall mean REALD-30 score of the participants was 11.76 ± 0.17 indicating low OHL. The higher mean score of OHIP-14 for the following domains physical pain 12.93 ± 0.56, physical disability 12.05 ± 0.72 and psychological disability 12.71 ± 0.76. Oral health impact profile-14 and REALD showed a positive correlation for health-related colleges (r = .314; *p < .002) and other colleges (r = .09; p < .072). However, a significant correlation was observed between REALD-30 and OHIP-14 scores among health-related colleges (p < .05). The current study concluded that self-rated poor oral health is significantly linked with OHIP-14 scores. Furthermore, systematic health education programs such as regular dental check-ups for college students must be arranged to assist in changing the student's everyday life and oral health behaviours.

Frequent brushing of teeth inhibits the dissemination of the SARS-CoV-2: the biochemical mechanism.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth and nostrils. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in sputum with a high viral load suggested that maintaining good oral hygiene could be critical in limiting COVID-19 disease. Brushing the teeth frequently and regularly with widely available amphiphilic detergent, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-based toothpastes could help in preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. We proposed a community survey-based methodology followed by an in vitro biochemical strategy to test the virucidal potentiality of SLS, an amphiphilic detergent found in these toothpastes. Throughbiomolecular structureand docking analysis using modelsof spike proteinand SLS,we showed a possible molecular mechanism of action for SLS-enabled viral particle inactivation.

Socio Demographic Factors affecting the Oral Health Status and Behaviour of Pregnant Women: A South Indian Context

Aim: To assess Social and demographic factors affecting the oral health status and behaviour of pregnant women in Kerala. Methodology: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in a group of expecting mothers at 2 private hospitals in Trichur district, Kerala, India. A questionnaire was used to assess the social and demographic factors affecting the oral health status and behaviour of pregnant women. Results: Study subjects having a professional education status did not having any periodontal pocket (CPI score 3 and 4). 85.7 % of the Study subjects having professional education status brushed twice daily whereas only 7.7 % of the study subjects having intermediate education or diploma brushed twice daily . There was a statistically significant difference between BPL status and frequency of brushing, as well as financial independence and number of teeth missing. CPI &amp; LOA score was associated with sociodemographic factors. Conclusion: Social factors like SES etc act as a strong hindrance which lead to less use of dental health care services. Dental health education has to be given to overcome this. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.22 (Special Issue) 2023 p.25-32

Patterns in Oral Hygiene and Dietary Habits in School Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To assess oral hygiene and dietary patterns in school children participating in a school-based preventive oral health program during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional study, an anonymous questionnaire exploring oral hygiene and dietary patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic was completed by parents of school children. Data were compared among different schools, school years, and between genders using nonparametric tests. Associations among further nominal and categorical variables related to oral hygiene and dietary habits were also assessed using the chi-square test. Only 26% (n = 32) of parents reported that their children brushed their teeth the recommended amount of twice or more per day during the pandemic. In addition, 17.2% of the parents reported less brushing than before the pandemic. A total of 40 parents (32.8%) reported that their child consumed unhealthy beverages once a day or more. Comparison between genders revealed that male participants were drinking significantly unhealthier than female (p = 0.038). Sugary foods were consumed once a day or more by 63.1% of children. No significant differences were found between public and church schools. Significant direct associations were found between changes in dietary habits and brushing frequency (p = 0.017), between parental concern regarding the interruption of the school program and decreased brushing frequency (p = 0.005), and negative changes in dietary habits (p = 0.013). Within the limitations of this study, the present significant findings observed during the pandemic support the importance of school programs in promoting oral hygiene and healthy dietary habits of children. Agius A-M, Gatt G, Cortes ARG, et al. Patterns in Oral Hygiene and Dietary Habits in School Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):205-210.

Survey on Oral Health Education Knowledge of Family Members and Health Workers Dedicated to Patients with Disabilities.

Over a billion people in the world live with some form of disability and this figure is destined to grow due to the increase in life expectancy. As consequence, the caregiver is taking on an increasingly important role that gains relevance also in the field of oral-dental prevention, being able to promptly identify needs for medical treatment. In some cases, however, the caregiver can be an obstacle to consider in case of a lack of adequate knowledge and commitment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the caregiver level of oral education comparing family members and health workers dedicated to people with disabilities knowledge. Anonymous questionnaires were distributed in five disability service centers and filled alternatively by family members of patients with disability and disability service centers health workers. Two-hundred fifty questionnaires were collected, of which 100 were filled in by family members and 150 by health workers. Data were analyzed by applying the chi-squared (X2) independence test and the pairwise method for missing data. Family members oral education appears better in terms of brushing frequency, toothbrush replacement, and number of dental visits.

Identifying predictors of tooth loss using a rule-based machine learning approach: A retrospective study at university-setting clinics.

This study aimed to identify predictors associated with tooth loss in a large periodontitis patient cohort in the university setting using the machine learning approach. Information on periodontitis patients and 18 factors identified at the initial visit was extracted from electronic health records. A two-step machine learning pipeline was proposed to develop the tooth loss prediction model. The primary outcome is tooth loss count. The prediction model was built on significant factors (single or combination) selected by the RuleFit algorithm, and these factors were further adopted by the count regression model. Model performance was evaluated by root-mean-squared error (RMSE). Associations between predictors and tooth loss were also assessed by a classical statistical approach to validate the performance of the machine learning model. In total, 7840 patients were included. The machine learning model predicting tooth loss count achieved RMSE of 2.71. Age, smoking, frequency of brushing, frequency of flossing, periodontal diagnosis, bleeding on probing percentage, number of missing teeth at baseline, and tooth mobility were associated with tooth loss in both machine learning and classical statistical models. The two-step machine learning pipeline is feasible to predict tooth loss in periodontitis patients. Compared to classical statistical methods, this rule-based machine learning approach improves model explainability. However, the model's generalizability needs to be further validated by external datasets.

Oral Health Status in a Group of Roma Children in Seville, Spain.

Identify the oral health status through an epidemiological survey of the population of gipsy children in the city of Seville. The WHO (World Health Organization) criteria for oral health surveys were used in the study with children aged 6 to 13 years carried out in two Seville schools located in neighborhoods with a high percentage of gypsy population (Polígono Norte and Sur of the city of Seville). The final sample consisted of 108 children in whom the DMF (decay-missing-filled index) for primary dentition was 5.0 + -3.1 for the 6-9 year-old age group and the DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) for the 10-13 year-old group was 4.5 + -3.3. The frequency of brushing was low, with a significant percentage of children not brushing their teeth (42.3%). The striking feature is that 26.9% of children had never visited the dentist despite their basic dental care being covered by the regional government. The children studied present high levels of caries compared to the rest of the Spanish population, as well as very low levels of oral hygiene. Given the lack of success of existing oral health programmes among this population, a different intervention is needed, taking into account the idiosyncrasies of the gipsy community.

Association between different behavioral factors and dental caries among children attending the dental clinics in a sample from Saudi Arabia

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the association between different behavioral factors and the prevalence of dental caries among children attending the dental clinic in a sample from the Hail and Tabuk regions, Saudi Arabia.MethodA cross-sectional study design was employed to determine the burden of dental caries in teeth and key associated factors among 6-12-year-old children who attended different dental clinics. The data was recruited from Hail and Tabuk districts, Saudi Arabia. The study included only Saudi nationals, whose parents could fill out the self-administered questionnaire and provide informed consent for their child’s dental examination at clinics. Children underwent a simple dental examination based on the World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for oral health surveys. The Decayed, Missed, Filled Tooth (DMFT) index developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) was utilized to assess dental caries. Descriptive statistics were performed to describe categorical variables. The mean DMFT was compared between girls’ and boys’ and the children from Hail and Tabuk regions using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The chi-square test was used to examine the association between different behavioral factors and the prevalence of dental caries.ResultsOf the total 399 children examined, 203 (50.9%) were boys, whilst 196 (49.1%) were girls. The prevalence of dental caries was correlated with the cleaning tool, parental educational level, dental visits, and sugar consumption (p < 0.05). However, brushing frequency failed to demonstrate a correlation with the prevalence of dental caries (p > 0.05). The total mean DMFT for the studied sample was 7.81 (SD ± 1.9). Caries’ experience was made up mainly of decayed teeth. Decayed teeth made up an average of 3.30 (SD ± 1.07). The total mean of missing and filling teeth was 2.51 (SD ± 0.99) and 1.99 (SD ± 1.26) respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean DMFT and gender or between Hail and Tabuk (p < 0.05).ConclusionSaudi Arabia continues to have a high prevalence of dental caries compared to the global norm.

Association between oral hygiene and gingival abrasion in a rural population in southern Brazil: A multilevel secondary analysis.

To evaluate associations between oral hygiene and gingival abrasion (GA) in a rural population from southern Brazil. A population-based sample representative of individuals from a rural community in southern Brazil was included. Individuals aged 15 years or older and who had five teeth or more present were selected for this analysis. GA extent was defined as the total number of abrasions per individual. An adjusted multilevel negative binomial regression analysis was used to investigate the associations between site-, tooth- and individual-level variables and GA. Mean ratios (MR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Five hundred ninety-five dentate individuals aged 15-82 years were analysed. In the adjusted models, brushing more than twice a day (MR=1.13; 95% CI 1.02-1.26) and brushing with a hard/medium-bristle toothbrush (MR=1.11; 95% CI 1.01-1.23) were significantly associated with more generalized GA. The extent of GA was independently associated with greater brushing frequency and the use of a toothbrush with harder bristles in residents of a rural area.

Comparison of Oral Hygiene Practices between Dental, Medical and Allied Health Sciences Undergraduate Students of Lahore

Aim: To determine how dental education affects the oral hygiene practices in Pakistan. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place: FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan. Duration: One month. Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was circulated amongst BDS, MBBS, and AHS students of FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan. The responses were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Dental students were superior to MBBS and AHS students in brushing frequency, electric toothbrush and water flosser use. Manual toothbrushes are more commonly used than electric toothbrushes in all three groups. More MBBS students believed that electric toothbrushes were better. Flossing proved unpopular. Toothpicks were the preferred interdental aid. Few students use water flossers. Mouthwashes are only used when needed. Most respondents were nonsmokers, but more BDS students smoked. Conclusion: Conclusion: Dental education in Pakistan impacts oral hygiene habits since dental students reported to have superior oral hygiene habits. More MBBS students believed electronic toothbrushes are superior to manual ones, indicating that BDS and AHS students require knowledge of electric toothbrushes. Keywords: Allied Health Sciences, Dental education; Dental students; Medical students; Oral hygiene practices.

Does Providing Story Books to Children Lead to an Improvement in Oral Hygiene in School Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Objective: To assess the effect of giving tooth brushing storybooks along with verbal oral hygiene (OHI) instructions on plaque levels to schoolchildren. Methodology: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a private school in Islamabad from October to November 2022. Children in Class V were selected as the Experimental Group I (Storybooks + OHI), while Class IV children were placed in the Control Group II (OHI alone). There were 20 students in each group. Plaque levels were compared at the baseline (before intervention) and after seven days. Tooth brushing practices were recorded at the baseline. Quantitative variables, such as age and mean plaque score were reported as mean and standard deviation. Categorical variables such as gender and tooth brushing frequency were described as frequencies and percentages. Results: The mean age of the children was 9.6 + 1.08 years. A total of 16 (40%) boys and 24 (60%) girls were included in the study. Children in Group II had significantly better self-reported tooth brushing practices with 16 (80%) children brushing twice a day, as compared to 10 (50%) children from Group I (p = 0.041). There was no difference in the reduction in plaque scores between group I (0.14 + 0.21) and group II (0.08 + 0.21; p = 0.382). Conclusion: Giving story books to children is not an effective intervention to improve the oral hygiene status of children, as compared to oral hygiene instructions alone.

Impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the oral health status of paediatric dental patients in Greece.

Limited evidence regarding the post-COVID-19 dental status of paediatric patients is available, with most studies assessing only children's oral health habits. To evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown on the oral health of paediatric dental patients in Greece. This was a retrospective cohort study that included a questionnaire on children's oral health behavior and a clinical examination assessing dental caries and dental treatment needs using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria, dmft/DMFT, and Treatment Need Index. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for a statistical comparison between questionnaire and clinical data before, during, and after the lockdown. A total of 102 children with a median age of 9 years were recruited from the current cohort of patients that had their last dental examination 6months prior to the lockdown. Results from the questionnaire showed decreased brushing frequency with increased eating frequency and sugar consumption during the lockdown period (p < .001). Moreover, 16.5% had to visit the dentist for urgent care during the lockdown, 13.6% experienced dental pain, and 51.5% did not experience any dental emergencies. Clinical examination, after the lockdown, recorded significantly increased mean dmft/DMFT scores by 0.63 units in the primary dentition (p=.01) and 0.52 units in the permanent teeth (p=.002). Significantly higher treatment needs, with more carious lesions requiring extensive treatment after the lockdown, were recorded (p < .001). The COVID-19 lockdown negatively affected children's oral health behavior: caries prevalence increased and more complex dental treatments were required.

THE IMPACT OF ORAL HYGIENE MAINTENANCE ON THE GINGIVAL HEALTH OF PATIENTS HAVING FIXED ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES

Abstract &#x0D; Objective: to evaluate the oral hygiene habits among patients experiencing fixed orthodontic treatment&#x0D; Material and method: The study was conducted in the orthodontic department of Multan medical and dental college, Multan. One hundred and five patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were included in the study. Duration of study was 5months and 12 days. Patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire about the reason for undergoing treatment, the importance of orthodontic treatment in life, and oral hygiene practice after having fixed orthodontic treatment. Statistical data were analyzed by SPSS version 22 to determine the frequency distribution and percentage ratio for each variable. A Chi-square test was applied to compare gingivitis and frequency of brushing and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.&#x0D; Results: The mean age of participants was 20± 4.7 years, with females predominant (71%). Most of the patients were undergoing treatment due to a friend’s suggestion (32%) and a dentist’s suggestion (17%). Most patients brushed twice daily (25%) or after every meal (24.4%) and still have gingivitis which represents brushing alone is not enough. Chi- square test was utilized between frequency of brushing and gingivitis and p- value was &gt; 0.05 which is considered insignificant. The most preferred toothbrush was the general toothbrush (28%) and unspecified brush (23%). Which means proper knowledge of the type of brush was lacking. Only 41% of patients were sure about using fluoridated toothpaste which again shows a lack of awareness. 35% of patients were using a toothpick and 22% were using pins to clean their teeth in absence of a brush which again shows a lack of proper knowledge. 37% of patients were using their mouth wash and 24% were using interdental brushes occasionally.&#x0D; Conclusion: orthodontic treatment itself causes plaque retention and gingivitis so in order to maintain good oral hygiene self-motivation and proper knowledge given by the care provider is very necessary to improve gingival outcomes.&#x0D;

Association of exogenous factors with molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in human oral cavity

The frequency ofStaphylococcus aureusstrains associated with oral cavity microbiota has prodigious consideration. AlthoughS. aureushas been reflected as an ephemeral member of the human oral cavity microbiota, the isolation, identification, and characterization of S. aureus is important. The present study aimed to characterizeS. aureusstrains from the oral cavity microflora, isolation of S. aureus from the human oral cavity microbiota, and demographic information of the participants to evaluate exogenous factors associated with the presence of S. aureus and their genetic analysis linkage with different factors. The method used in this study is the isolation of oral cavity microbiomes using sheep blood agar and Mannitol salt agar. We performed antibiotic profiling with various antibiotics and genetic analysis utilizing gene-specific primers for specific genes, including nuc, mecA, pvl, agr, and coa. A significant number of S. aureus isolates were found in the oral cavity of humans 18/84 (21.42%), and all 18 strains tested positive for the confirmatory nuc gene. Antibiotic resistance-conferring gene mecA was positive in 10 (55.6%) isolates. It was found that the occurrence of pvl, agr, and coagulase (coa) genes was 9 (50%), 6 (33.33%), and 10 (55.6%), respectively. The genetic analysis reported that significant associations were present between male and mecA gene (P = 0.03) and coa (P = 0.03), smokers with the occurrence of mecA (P = 0.02), agr (P = 0.048) and coa (P = 0.02) genes. Likewise, the association of antibiotic usage was significantly found with mecA (P = 0.02), coa (P = 0.02); however, the individuals who have taken orthodontic treatment recently have a significant association with agr (P = 0.017). The use of mouth rinse was significantly associated with the prevalence of the pvl gene (P = 0.01), and tooth brushing frequency and inflammation of the buccal cavity were also statistically significant in relation to pvl gene prevalence (P = 0.02, 0.00, respectively). Moreover, calories and weight-controlled diet were significantly associated with mecA, agr, and highly significant with coa (P = 0.02, 0.048, 0.000), so all P < 0.05, and no significant association was found between the socioeconomic status of individuals with aforementioned analyzed genes.