Good Oral Hygiene Habits Research Articles

The change of patient profile, attitudes and satisfaction in University Dental clinic after onset of economic crisis in Greece

Background/Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare patient profile, attitude and satisfaction of patients visiting a university periodontal clinic before and during the financial crisis in Greece. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adult consecutive patients that visited the undergraduate Periodontology clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki from October 2014 to July 2015 were invited to participate anonymously. The only exclusion criterion that was set was the age: all individuals had to be ≥18 years old. The questionnaire utilized in this study included six parts of questions: 1) demographic characteristics; 2) environmental and behavioral characteristics; 3) diagnosis of periodontal disease; 4) medical history; 5) difficulties-satisfaction-proposals about periodontal treatment; and 6) history of periodontal therapy. One hundred and fifty individuals, mean aged of 51.6±12.3 years were interviewed concerning their demographic and behavioral characteristics. Satisfaction level, reasons for selecting the university dental clinic and oral hygiene habits were also recorded. Results: The profile of the patient attending the university periodontal clinic was a female (54.0%), 51-year-old on average, of high education (76.0%), good oral hygiene habits (brushing ≥2 times/day: 49.3%, use of additional oral health care: 66.0%), heavy smoker (>15 cigarettes/day: 51.9%) and chronic periodontal disease (96.7%). Economic difficulties led the participants to seek periodontal treatment in the university clinic (30.7%), but the vast majority of them were highly satisfied (81.3%), confident (82.0%) and informed (51.3%) about the treatment. Before the financial collapse in Greece, the profile of the patients in the clinic was characterized by low socioeconomic status with poor oral hygiene, none or basic education and unemployed (no income) and retired individuals. Heavy smoking, diagnosis of chronic periodontal disease and satisfaction were also reported prior to the financial crisis. Conclusions: The demographic characteristics of those who seek treatment in a university setting have changed dramatically and younger, more highly educated and employed individuals attend the undergraduate Periodontology clinic of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece compared with those who attended the university dental clinic prior to the financial crisis.

Oral hygiene status, self-reported oral malodor, oral hygiene practices, and oral health knowledge: A cross-sectional study in a group of Muslim Thai pregnant women

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine oral hygiene status, self-reported oral malodor, oral hygiene practices, oral health knowledge, and the differences across educational levels in a group of Muslim Thai pregnant women. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Yaring, Pattani, Thailand. A total of 88 pregnant women were invited to participate in this study. The enrolled patients answered a self-administered questionnaire comprising sociodemographic data, self-perceived oral malodor, oral hygiene practices, as well as their knowledge about the causes and effects of gingivitis during the prenatal period. Gingival health, plaque deposit, and tongue coating were assessed using the modified gingival index (MGI), the plaque index (PI), and the Winkel index (WTCI), respectively. The associations of educational levels with clinical measures and questionnaire responses were analyzed using SPSS version 17. Results: The pregnant women had moderate levels of gingival inflammation (MGI = 1.36 ± 0.40), visible plaque deposit (PI = 1.43 ± 0.47), and thinly dispersed tongue coating (WTCI = 5.40 ± 2.82). MGI significantly decreased as educational levels increased (P = 0.041). Although 90% of the participants had knowledge pertaining to good oral hygiene habits, a high number of participants reported a short brushing time (77%), irregular tooth brushing after meals (66%), irregular tongue cleaning (46%), and a bad breath experience (71%). Furthermore, a significant number of pregnant women lacked knowledge of or misunderstood oral-systemic health relationships. Oral hygiene practices and oral health knowledge were not significantly different across educational levels. Conclusion: The majority of Muslim Thai pregnant women had fair oral hygiene, improper self-oral hygiene care, and inadequate knowledge of the importance of oral-systemic health relationships.

Asthma and periodontal health in children

Background/Aim. Oral health is an important part of overall health. Good oral health is important for oral diseases prevention and health maintenance of respiratory system. The aim of the study was to evaluate oral hygiene and periodontal health parameters of asthmatic children and to compare them with children without asthma as well as to evaluate those parameters according to type of used medications and time of taking medications in children with asthma. Methods. This epidemiological study included 68 children with asthma and 68 children without asthma or any other chronic disease aged from 6 to 16 years. Parameters used in this study were Greene-Vermillion index, L?e-Silness gingival index and Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Results. Good oral hygiene (31.1%) was more present in children without asthma whereas poor hygiene (20.0%) was more frequent in children with asthma (p < 0.001). Healthy gingiva was more frequent in children without asthma (25%) while mild (58.8%) and moderate gingival inflammation (5.9%) were more frequent in the group of children with asthma (p < 0.01). Mean CPI values were higher in children with asthma (p < 0.001). Mean values of Plaque Index, Gingival Index and CPI did not show statistically significant difference in relation to type of administered medication. However, taking medications in the afternoon was related to higher mean values of Plaque Index and Gingival Index (p < 0.05) within the group of children with asthma. Conclusion. Children with asthma had poorer oral hygiene and were diagnosed with greater values of oral hygiene and periodontal indices compared with the group of children without asthma. For this reason, it is necessary to promote oral health and establish good oral hygiene habits in asthmatic children.

Portuguese self-reported oral-hygiene habits and oral status

Good oral health is essential for good general health and quality of life. In Portugal, there are few studies on oral-health habits and the population's perceptions of this behaviour. The main purpose of this study was to characterise the Portuguese population's self-reported oral-health status, habits and perceptions, as well as their demands regarding national oral health-care services. A randomised group of 1,395 individuals, > 15 years of age, was selected as a representative sample of the Portuguese population. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, based on a structured questionnaire with closed and semi-closed questions. The data were submitted for statistical analysis using SPSS. A sample of 1,102 individuals answered the questionnaire. The great majority of the sample (97.6%) brushed their teeth daily, 70.3% had lost permanent teeth and 6.4% were edentulous. The loss of permanent teeth was statistically associated with poor oral-hygiene habits (P < 0.01). Moreover, 50.1% of the participants had experienced difficulty eating and/or drinking, 18% had felt ashamed of the appearance of their teeth and 69.3% had experienced toothache or gingival pain. A reduction in visits to a dentist in the previous 12 months was identified mainly for people from a lower social class (31.2%) and older people (29.4%). Evidence suggests that oral diseases might be more prevalent in Portuguese adults than the European average. Efforts should be made to promote good oral-hygiene habits among older people and people from lower social classes.

ORAL HEALTH OF UK ATHLETES AND IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE

BackgroundPrevious research indicates that poor oral health is common in elite athletes and is associated with negative self-reported impacts on wellbeing, training and performance. However the strength of evidence is...

Prevention and Treatment of White Spot Lesions in Orthodontic Patients.

Decalcification of enamel, appearing as white spot lesions (WSLs), around fixed orthodontic appliances is a major challenge during and after fixed orthodontic treatment by considering the fact that the goal of orthodontic treatment is to enhance facial and dental esthetic appearance. Banded or bonded teeth exhibit a significantly higher rate of WSLs compared to the controls with no braces as fixed appliances and the bonding materials promote retention of biofilms. These lesions are managed in the first step by establishing good oral hygiene habits and prophylaxis with topical fluorides, including high-fluoride toothpastes, fluoride mouthwashes, gels, varnishes, fluoride-containing bonding materials, and elastic ligatures. Recently, other materials and methods have been recommended, including the application of casein phosphopeptides-amorphous calcium phosphate, antiseptics, probiotics, polyols, sealants, laser, tooth bleaching agents, resin infiltration, and microabrasion. This article reviews the currently used methods to manage enamel demineralization during and after orthodontic treatment and the risk factors and preventive measures based on the latest evidence.

Correlation between dental caries and diet, oral hygiene habits, and other indicators among elementary school students in Xiulin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan

ObjectivesTo analyze the correlations between oral health status and eating habits, oral hygiene habits, and other indicators by dental health examination and questionnaires. The target population was elementary school children in Xiulin Township, Hualien, Taiwan and the aim was the identification of the possible factors causing tooth decay. Materials and methodsA stratified purposive sampling approach was used in this study. First and fourth grade students from 11 elementary schools in Xiulin Township were selected as participants in an oral health examination during the academic year 2012 and were also asked to fill in a questionnaire. Three hundred and nineteen students were initially involved in the study and the actual number of students who completed the questionnaire and the oral examination was 277; thus the survey response rate was 86.8%. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between the student's oral health status and the responses in the questionnaire. ResultsThe study participants from Xiulin Township have a high prevalence of dental caries as well as high indices for the following indices: decayed, extracted, and filled teeth in primary dentition (deft); decayed, missing, and filled teeth in permanent dentition (DMFT); and decayed, extracted, and filled teeth in primary dentition and decayed, missing, and filled teeth in permanent dentition (deft + DMFT). These high indices may be related to the fact that most of these children like to eat sweets and snacks, have poor oral hygiene habits, and have extremely low rates of using dental health care products. Mouth-cleaning after eating sweets, brushing after eating, and brushing for at least 3 minutes each time is able to effectively predict the deft + DMFT index of school children in Xiulin Township (R2 = 0.218, p < 0.0001). ConclusionThese findings provide information for the relevant health authorities in Taiwan with respect to ensuring an adequate distribution of dental care resources in mountainous townships and remote areas. The findings also indicate that there is a need for improved access to dental health care in these areas in the form of the presence of professional dental hygienists at every school to educate and supervise the school children to develop good oral hygiene habits.

Gestantes frente ao tratamento odontológico

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of pregnant women from a city of southern state of Minas Gerais during dental treatment. A quantitative Cross-sectional study was mad with 100 pregnant patients who were seeking medical care in private and NHS Alfenas-MG. The interviews were realized through questionnaires containing 18 questions. The results show that most patients carry three brushings / day and use dental floss 2-3 times a day. Also, 22% of them accused sensitivity brushing, 35% and 24% easy bleeding, swollen gums and fear of the exposure to X-ray. The conclusion was that pregnant women have good oral hygiene habits, but feel fear and discomfort related to dental procedures

Oral healthcare of preschool children in Trinidad: a qualitative study of parents and caregivers.

BackgroundLittle is known about oral health in early childhood in the West Indies or the views and experiences of caregivers about preventive oral care and dental attendance The aims of this study were to explore and understand parents and caregivers’ experience of oral healthcare for their preschool aged children and how, within their own social context, this may have shaped their oral health attitudes and behaviours. These data can be used to inform oral health promotion strategies for this age group.MethodAfter ethical approval, a qualitative study was undertaken using a focus group approach with a purposive sample of parents and caregivers of preschool children in central Trinidad.Group discussions were initiated by use of a topic guide. Audio recording and field notes from the three focus groups, with a total of 18 participants, were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach.ResultsDespite some ambivalence toward the importance of the primary teeth, the role of fluoride and confusion about when to take a child for their first dental visit, most participants understood the need to ensure good oral hygiene and dietary habits for their child. Problems expressed included, overcoming their own negative experiences of dentistry, which along with finding affordable and suitable dental clinics, affected their attitude to taking their child for a dental visit. There was difficulty in establishing good brushing routines and controlling sweet snacking in the face of many other responsibilities at home. Lack of availability of paediatric dental services locally and information on oral health care were also highlighted. Many expressed a need for more contact with dental professionals in non-clinic settings, for oral health care advice and guidance.ConclusionParents and caregivers in this qualitative study showed generally positive attitudes towards oral health but appear to have encountered several barriers and challenges to achieving ideal preventive care for their child, with respect to healthy diet, good oral hygiene and dental attendance. Oral health promotion should include effective dissemination of oral health information, more practical health advice and greater access to dental care for families with preschool children.

Osteonecrosis and the Jaws and Bevacizumab Therapy: A Case Report

Bevacizumab is a humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody that blocks vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Recently, its use has been related with osteneocrosis of the jaws (ONJ), a disease showing a histological pattern similar to bisphosphonate-related ONJ. The aim of this study is to describe an ONJ case-report following bevacizumab chemotherapy without bisphosphonate therapy. We monitored ONJ development associated with the use of bevacizumab in a 47-year-old male with primitive adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland. Our results could suggest a possible correlation between the eruption of the lower third molar tooth and ONJ development following bevacizumab therapy. Clinicians should be aware of the potential risk of bevacizumab-related ONJ complication; moreover, since there are no effective therapeutic protocols for ONJ treatment, it is very important that patients develop good oral hygiene habits and undergo regular dental status evaluation by dentists.

Oral status, oral hygiene habits and caries risk factors in home‐dwelling elderly dependent on moderate or substantial supportive care for daily living

Elderly people with disabilities have an increased risk of developing oral diseases as compared with the healthy elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate oral hygiene habits, clinical variables related to oral self-care and caries risk in elderly individuals living at home with moderate and substantial needs of home care. A random sample of 151 elderly people with moderate needs and 151 with substantial needs of home care were examined. Data concerning general health, social conditions and oral hygiene habits were collected using a questionnaire. Data showing the prevalence of caries, plaque scores and gingival bleeding were obtained through clinical examinations. Elderly subjects with substantial needs of home nursing had more active caries (P < 0.01) and more often gingival bleeding (P < 0.05), as compared with elderly people with moderate needs. Forty-nine per cent of the elderly with moderate needs performed acceptable self-care, as compared with 25% of the individuals with substantial needs. Good self-care was associated with women, low plaque scores, less bleeding and less caries. Factors increasing the risk of having caries were low saliva secretion, high plaque scores and a large number of fillings, while having a dentist and good oral hygiene habits increased the chance of not developing caries. Good oral hygiene habits were associated with less prevalence of plaque and oral disease in the elderly irrespective of extent of needs of home nursing. However, the elderly with moderate needs more often performed good self-care, indicating that the possibilities of strengthening self-care and learning new routines are better when functions are less affected.

SP4-38 Impact of tooth brushing in plaque index in adolescents

ObjectivesTo evaluate the plaque index and oral hygiene habits of adolescents.MethodologyTranversal and descriptive study in a sample of 189 adolescents aged between 11 and 17 years of age. Data collection...

485 Evaluation of Oral Hygiene Habits in a Portuguese Primary School Children Population

Background and aims: Good oral hygiene habits should be implemented very soon in children's development. It is important to quantify the improvements and the dental plaque index can be an easy mean to do it. Methods: Prospective study, with the application of an anonymous questionnaire to the parents of 194 primary school children of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. During the study period we taught the children how to brush their teeth and we made an evaluation of their dental plaque prior and after it. Results: The children's age was comprised between 5-9 years and 52% were females. Only 20% of the parents started to brush their children's teeth before 1 year. Ninety-eight percent brush their teeth alone, only once a day in 26% of the cases. Only 11% use dental floss, after 6 years in 37% of the cases. Eighty-two percent have already gone to a dentist, only 49% for prevention. Thirty-four percent of the parents say their children don't eat cariogenic foods. Seventy-three percent eat sweets frequently and 72% drink refrigerants. Only 44% of the parents said their children's oral hygiene is good and only 14% knew that caries is an infectious disease. The mean index of dental plaque before and after the teaching was 89% and 52%, respectively (reduction of 42%). Conclusions: We observed a significant reduction in dental plaque with our taught and this let us conclude that this should be an issue to invest not only in the consultations, but also in schools and community settings.

Dental caries associated with dietary and toothbrushing habits of 6- to 12-year-old mentally retarded children in Taiwan

Background/Purpose In this study, we analyzed the influence of dietary factors and toothbrushing habits on dental caries in children with mental retardation (MR). Materials and methods In total, 168 children with MR, aged 6–12 years, were selected from a large cross-sectional survey entitled “Oral health survey and oral hygiene education for the disabled in Taiwan”, which used a stratified cluster sampling design and probability proportional to size for sampling. Oral examinations were carried out by dentists, who were trained such that the kappa score of their interexaminer agreement exceeded 0.8. Data on demographics, diet and toothbrushing habits were collected using a standardized questionnaire completed by a parent or caregiver. A database was designed using Microsoft Access, and the data were analyzed with SAS and JMP software. Results The number of permanent decayed teeth, DMFT index, and caries prevalence of 6-year-old children (0.25, 0.25, and 18.75%, respectively) significantly increased with age to 12 years old (2.37, 3.54, and 72.88%, respectively) (P Conclusion Children with MR tend to have poor oral health. A higher number of decayed teeth and a higher prevalence of caries were statistically significantly related to eating sweets and not having good oral hygiene habits of toothbrushing after eating.

The influence of social indices on oral health and oral health behaviour in a group of Flemish socially deprived adolescents.

To investigate the impact of social indices on oral health and oral health behaviour in socially deprived adolescents and young adults in Flanders. The study design was cross-sectional and included 68 subjects aged 12 to 26, who called for help by "Habbekrats", a non-profit organisation rendering assistance to adolescents and young adults living on the fringes of our society. The clinical oral examination was performed using criteria based on the diagnostic criteria for caries prevalence surveys published by BASCD. Information on parental occupational level, educational level, living condition and oral health behaviour was gained using questionnaires completed by the participants themselves and their social workers. The mean age was 16.2 years. Within the sample 92% and 90.8% respectively had a father or mother belonging to a low social level. For 68% of the sample the educational level was low. Concerning oral health behaviour 67% reported nutritional habits conducive to poor oral health whereas 64% reported good oral hygiene habits. The mean DMFS was 11.42 (SD = 14.33) and the mean care-index equalled 0.60 (SD = 0.39). Statistical analysis by means of a logistic regression model revealed that only the 'living condition' had a statistically significant influence on oral health behaviour (p < or = 0.05) and care-index (p < or = 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the parents occupation and subjects' educational level and the oral health behaviour and oral health status of the study group. From this analysis it is clear that 'living condition' had a significant influence on the oral health behaviour and care indices of the studied population of socially deprived adolescents.

Bisphosphonates and osteonecrosis of the mandible/maxilla in osteoporosis: no reason to panic

Bisphosphonate (BP) therapy has modified the natural history of many bone metabolic diseases. Amino-bisphosphonates nowadays represent the primary therapeutic choice for the treatment of osteoporosis and for prevention of fractures. Osteonecrosis of the mandible and maxilla (ONJ) is a rare disease usually occurring in cancer patients with bone metastases treated with high doses of intravenous BPs. Some cases have been described in patients taking amino-BPs for osteoporosis, but the specific drug utilized, its dosage and use of the oral route have reduced that risk considerably (estimated at 1/100,000 subjects a year). Prevention of ONJ include good oral hygiene habits in all patients and, in a subject who has been treated for more than three years, conservative dental procedures when possible, an appropriate antibiotic therapy and a careful follow-up when invasive oral interventions are necessary, are recommended by dentists and bone metabolism experts alike.

Oral Hygiene and Parent-Related Factors during Early Childhood in Relation to Approximal Caries at 15 Years of Age

The aim was to investigate whether oral hygiene habits and parent-related factors, recorded in early childhood, have a predictive value in relation to approximal caries experience (including initial caries lesions) at the age of 15 years (n = 568). Data were selected from examinations, interviews and questionnaires at 1 and 3 years and bitewing radiographs at 15 years. Four levels of cut-off points for the statistical analysis were used: DFa = 0, > 0, ≧4 and ≧8. In the final logistic regression analyses, mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good remained statistically significant and predicted a caries experience of DFa > 0 at 15 years. The following four variables predicted DFa ≧4: (1) female gender, (2) plaque on maxillary incisors at 1 year, (3) mother’s self-estimation of her oral health care being less good and (4) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Two variables predicted DFa ≧8: (1) toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste just once a day, and (2) father being less satisfied with his social situation. Furthermore, children who failed to attend the examination at 1 year of age had 6.95 ± 5.36 (mean ± SD) DFa at 15 years compared with 3.10 ± 3.85 for children who were examined at 1 year of age (p < 0.01). To conclude, factors explaining good dental health at 15 years of age pertained to both children and parents. Thus, it seems that good oral hygiene habits, established in early childhood, provide a foundation for a low experience of approximal caries in adolescents.

Self-reported oral hygiene habits, dental attendance and attitudes to dentistry during pregnancy in a sample of immigrant women in North London

The aim of this study was to describe self-reported oral health, oral hygiene habits, frequency of visits to a dentist and factors associated with dental attendance among pregnant women at a North London Hospital, the majority of whom are immigrants. Peridontal disease is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study is to describe self-reported oral health, oral hygiene habits, frequency of visits to a dentist and factors associated with dental attendance among pregnant women at a North London Hospital, the majority of whom are immigrants. A questionnaire designed by the authors was completed by postnatal women within 3 days of delivery. Data collected included past dental attendance, reasons for attendance and information about age, parity and socio-economic group. In total, 206 women completed the questionnaires within 3 days of delivery; 74.2% of the mothers were not born in the UK and 38.3% were Black African. The mean age of was 28.19 +/- 6.07 years. The majority reported good oral hygiene habits such as brushing their teeth twice a day (73.7%) and using mouthwash (51%). However, their dental attendance was poor and the average time since their last visit to a dentist was 1.8 +/- 1.61 years. Over a third of the women questioned did not know about the availability of free dental care during pregnancy and for 12 months after; 33% visited a dentist in pregnancy and half of them needed and received treatment; 15% of mothers had more than one pregnancy and yet were still unaware of free dental care provided during pregnancy and 12 months after birth. Only 36% of questioned women regularly visited a dentist. Pregnancy did little to change their attitudes to dental care. There appears no difference in attitudes to dental care between immigrant and British born pregnant women. Efforts to improve the uptake of dental care should be directed towards immigrant groups in order to promote better maternal health. Further research is required into the provision of dental care during pregnancy, as the high level of non-attendance demonstrated by mothers is undesirable.

Characteristics of Breast-fed Children with Nursing Caries

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and risk factors of prolonged breast-feeding in children. A total of 105 children aged 18 months were screened for ongoing breast-feeding at a public health center. Of these, 105 children were selected for a more comprehensive examination, involving investigation of dietary, tooth-brushing habits and oral hygiene. The children were examined again, and initial and manifest caries were recorded at 24 months of age. As a result, 20 (19.0%) of the 105 children had caries at 24 months of age. Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between caries and bedtime breast-feeding (p=0.003). Oral hygiene at 18 months of age was also correlated with caries (p=0.015). It was concluded that reducing the frequency of feeding, early establishment of good oral hygiene habits and also regular visits to the dentist are essential in preventing nursing caries in prolonged breast-fed children.

Socio-demographic risk indicators for tooth mortality in rural Sri Lankans.

To explore the socio-demographic factors associated with tooth loss in rural inhabitants of Sri Lanka, a random sample of 2178 males aged 20-60 years was selected using multi-stage cluster sampling procedure. The number of missing and present teeth was recorded excluding third molars and the subjects were interviewed to elicit socio-demographic information as well as oral hygiene and tobacco consumption habits. The mean number of teeth lost in the sample was 5.17 +/- 5.43. Tooth loss increased significantly with age. Sinhalese had significantly fewer lost teeth (5.05 +/- 5.38) compared to Tamils (6.54 +/- 6.18) and Muslims (6.02 +/- 5.21) whereas education, income, oral hygiene practices and tobacco use were significantly associated with tooth loss in the bivariate analysis. A forward stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that age, Muslim ethnicity and quantified tobacco use were positively associated with tooth loss while better socio-economic conditions and good oral hygiene habits were negatively linked with tooth mortality independent of other factors. Age, Muslim ethnicity, quantified tobacco use, income, education, brushing frequency and substance used for cleaning had significantly affected tooth loss. Quantified tobacco use and oral hygiene may be regarded as modifiable socio-demographic risk indicators associated with tooth mortality in Sri Lankans.