Gum Problems Research Articles

Perceptions of tooth loss and periodontal problems in an independent elderly population: content-analysis of interview discourse.

Oral health/illness and surrounding socio-demographic and behavioral phenomena are poorly documented in the Mexican elderly. To establish the rationales explaining oral health/illness and tailor a Health Promotion intervention (1995-1997) accordingly, an interview nested in a questionnaire was done at baseline, with the recording of 228 interviews transcribed verbatim. Every transcript was subsequently assessed by content-analysis. Results showed that lack of oral hygiene, inadequate calcium intake and old age were the most common explanations of tooth-loss. Only a few factors were felt to be under control: the same state of relative adaptation that characterized people affected by gum problems. The themes that explained them were lack of oral hygiene, and (non-specific) infections. When interviewees evaluated the impact of good oral health on their lives, many made evaluations pertaining to quality of life, adequate function, and an attractive appearance generally.

Relationship between cigarette smoking and physical complaints

In order to evaluate the influence of cigarette smoking on health conditions, the authors analyzed results of the THI (Todai Health Index) questionnaire, which was administered to male employees of a large-sized enterprise in Osaka between 1984 and 1990. The smoking rate of male employees decreased over this period of time from 62.4% (1984) to 58.3% (1990) in this enterprise. Complaints regarding "respiratory organ", "digestive organ", "circulatory organ", "irregularity of daily life", "impulsiveness", and "many subjective symptoms" significantly increased with the amount of smoking. Many items of physical complaints in the THI questionnaire were also associated with smoking. These were coughing, sore throat, sputum, nausea when brushing teeth, loss of appetite, stomach pain, stomach problems, diarrhea, heartburn, gum problems, bad breath, heavy eyelids, itchy skin, face looked pale, shortness of breath, palpitation, feeling flushed or feverish, back pain, going to bed late and getting up late, weakness or fatigue, irregular meals, irritation, sensitive or nervous, eating salty or greasy food, and heavy drinker. It is therefore important in the health education of individual smokers to put special emphasis not only on the many diseases associated with smoking but also these physical complaints.

Hard man to stick on a gum problem

Hard man to stick on a gum problem

Hard man to stick on a gum problem

Hard man to stick on a gum problem

Hard man to stick on a gum problem

Hard man to stick on a gum problem

Hard man to stick on a gum problem

Hard man to stick on a gum problem