Lower Brushing Frequency Research Articles

Evaluation of possible associated factors for early childhood caries: are preterm birth and birth weight related?

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the oral and dental health of preschool children aged 12–71 months living in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, and to examine the effects of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm, early term and term birth on dental caries.Methods475 participants were included in the study. Intraoral examinations were performed and evaluated for the presence of early childhood caries (ECC). These values ​​are; Relationships such as age, gender, birth weight, week of birth, tooth brushing frequency, cariogenic nutrition, and parental education levels were examined. The obtained data were analyzed statistically (chi-square, t-test, artificial neural network (ANN)).ResultsOf the 475 participants, whose parents agreed to fill out the questionnaire, 250 were female and 225 were male. While the mean age was 49.78 ± 14.78 months for those with ECC, it was 38.93 ± 17.96 months for those without. Higher duration of breastfeeding (p = 0.04), education level of parents (p = 0.001), lower socioeconomic level (p = 0.001), and lower brushing frequency (p = 0.001) were also found to be significantly associated with ECC. ECC was seen in 90% of 77 children with a history of preterm birth. In LBW, this rate was 83%. According to the ANN result, in preterm birth; 12.9% affected ECC by LBW.ConclusionAccording to the results of our study, both LBW and preterm delivery were found to be associated with ECC and S-ECC (severe early childhood caries). An additional study on parents of preterm/LBW infants would be beneficial. In the early period, regular dental examination, implementation of preventive and preventive treatments, and nutrition education to parents can make a significant difference in the prevention of ECC.

A Comparative Analysis of Bacterial Diversity in Individuals Exhibiting Oral Cavity Disorders versus those in a State of Oral Health

Oral cavity is considered as main entrance of the body and our mouth encounters a large number of microorganisms from the outer environment, some of which have the potential to cause serious illnesses. Current study was designed to evaluate different ecological and behavioral factors which can positively or negatively affect normal flora of oral cavity. Behavioral information was gathered through personal interviews from 90 study subjects, out of which 45 were included in control group without any current oral disorders and other 45 were included in experimental group with current oral diseases. High rate of sugar consumption, low brushing frequency, over-use of medications, acidic food consumption, high rate of smoking, aggressive mode of brushing and lack of awareness about dental health were some of the factors observed in a higher ratio in experimental group. These behaviours can aggravate oral problems causing imbalances in normal flora of oral cavity. It was also noted that frequency of systemic diseases was higher in experimental group, and it was due to the fact that unbalanced bacterial oral flora can gain entry into blood through bacteraemia and travel to different organs, thus, intensifying systemic issues. A comparative analysis was also made between bacterial flora of healthy controls and oral patients. A total of 34 oral samples, 17 from control group and 17 from experimental group, were collected and analyzed morphologically and biochemically. A total of 12 distinct bacterial species were isolated from these collected samples. Some of the species were conserved in both groups but were present in varying proportions. But Neisseria spp. was isolated only from healthy controls while Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Corynebacterium and Actinobacteria were isolated from samples oral patients. The most abundant species in healthy controls were Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacilli and Staphylococcus epidermidis while in oral patients were Lactococci, Actinobacteria, Corynebacterium and Streptococcus viridans group. The involvement of oral bacterial flora in systemic diseases and role of behavioral elements in aggravating oral diseases was also responsible for oral cavity disorders. Different pathogenic bacteria can alter the natural bacterial ecology of oral cavity, aggravating oral diseases. This study may provide a baseline data to develop different strategies to control pathogenic oral flora

Oral health profile status and treatment needs in the Salvadoran elderly population: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionOlder adults are a highly vulnerable group in their general health condition, including oral health that can be influenced by different factors, among them, changes in oral tissues inherent to the physiological processes of aging and by systemic condition. In El Salvador, it is a group that has received little attention at the public health level.ObjectiveTo determine the profile of the oral health status and treatment needs of the elderly population in El Salvador.Materials and methodsSecondary cross-sectional analysis of data from the last oral health survey in 471 Salvadorans aged 60 years and older. The variables under study were: sociodemographics, brushing frequency, oral hygiene according to simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), caries experience according to decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT) modified with international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS) criteria, periodontal status through the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN), edentulism and treatment needs. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test, ANOVA, z-test and linear regression (p < 0.05).ResultsThe older adults presented poor oral hygiene, low brushing frequency, high tooth loss with an average of 16 missing teeth while one third presented total edentulism. Most of the older adults were categorized as having "poor or very Poor" oral hygiene. Almost all respondents presented some degree of periodontal disease and required restorative intervention.ConclusionThe oral health status of elderly Salvadoran is poor. Furthermore, the development of public policies and specific oral health strategies aimed at this population is urgent.

A Study on Factors Affecting Oral Disease Symptoms in Adolescents

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting oral diseases symptoms in Korean adolescents. Methods: Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed using complex sampling to determine the effect of oral symptom experience using the 16th Korean adolescent risk behavior web-based survey. Results: Oral symptom experience was affected by sex (female), educational stage (middle school), drinking and smoking habit, low brushing frequency, stress, suicidal thoughts, depression, and loneliness. Conclusions: To ensure proper oral care among Korean adolescents, regular oral health education is imperative.

Sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with dental caries in preschool children: Analysis using a decision tree.

Untreated dental caries can result a negative impact on oral health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of dental caries and associated factors in children enrolled in public preschools in the city of Recife, Brazil. A descriptive, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative random sample of 556 children aged 3-5 years. Data were collected through clinical examinations using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System. The parents answered a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Two examiners underwent training and calibration exercise for the calculation of interexaminer agreement (Kappa index of 0.83). In addition to descriptive data, an inductive decision tree was constructed to analyze the results (Algorithm J48; α = 5%). The prevalence of dental caries was 92.1%. The following factors were associated with dental caries: brushing performed by the child (prevalence ratio [PR] = 4.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.57-7.51 P < 0.001), household income less than the minimum wage (PR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.18-2.72, P = 0.005), brushing frequency (PR = 1.50; CI 95%: 0.50-4.49; P = 0.001), and parent's/caregiver's school equal to an incomplete elementary school education (PR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.56-1.74, P < 0.001). The occurrence of dental caries in children was high and was associated with brushing performed by the child, household income less than the monthly minimum wage, low brushing frequency, and low parent's/caregiver's schooling.

Dental caries clusters among adolescents.

There have been very few longitudinal studies of dental caries in adolescents, and little study of the caries risk factors in this age group. The purpose of this study was to describe different caries trajectories and associated risk factors among members of the Iowa Fluoride Study (IFS) cohort. The IFS recruited a birth cohort from 1992 to 1995, and has gathered dietary, fluoride and behavioural data at least twice yearly since recruitment. Examinations for dental caries were completed when participants were ages 5, 9, 13 and 17years. For this study, only participants with decayed and filled surface (DFS) caries data at ages 9, 13 and 17 were included (N=396). The individual DFS counts at age 13 and the DFS increment from 13 to 17 were used to identify distinct caries trajectories using Ward's hierarchical clustering algorithm. A number of multinomial logistic regression models were developed to predict trajectory membership, using longitudinal dietary, fluoride and demographic/behavioural data from 9 to 17years. Model selection was based on the akaike information criterion (AIC). Several different trajectory schemes were considered, and a three-trajectory scheme-no DFS at age 17 (n=142), low DFS (n=145) and high DFS (n=109)-was chosen to balance sample sizes and interpretability. The model selection process resulted in use of an arithmetic average for dietary variables across the period from 9 to 17years. The multinomial logistic regression model with the best fit included the variables maternal education level, 100% juice consumption, brushing frequency and sex. Other favoured models also included water and milk consumption and home water fluoride concentration. The high caries cluster was most consistently associated with lower maternal education level, lower 100% juice consumption, lower brushing frequency and being female. The use of a clustering algorithm and use of Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) to determine the best representation of the data were useful means in presenting longitudinal caries data. Findings suggest that high caries incidence in adolescence is associated with lower maternal educational level, less frequent tooth brushing, lower 100% juice consumption and being female.

Impact of caries and dental fluorosis on oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in schoolchildren receiving water naturally fluoridated at above-optimal levels.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of caries and fluorosis on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among schoolchildren living in areas with high concentrations of fluoride in water. Five hundred and twenty-four schoolchildren (8-12year olds) residing in rural communities in central Mexico were examined for oral hygiene, caries (International Caries Detection and Assessment System, ICDAS II), and fluorosis (Thylstrup and Fejerskov Index, TFI). OHRQoL was evaluated with the Child Perceptions Questionnaire for two age groups (CPQ8-10 and CPQ11-14). Generalized structural equation models were constructed for data analysis. Overall prevalence of caries was 88.5% and fluorosis 46.9%. In the group of 8-10year olds, 48% of the children had advanced carious lesions in primary or permanent teeth (ICDAS ≥4), 22.6% had moderate/severe fluorosis, and 59.9% of children had an impact on OHRQoL. Schoolchildren with ICDAS ≥4 were more likely [OR=1.75, (95% CI 1.34-2.28)] to suffer a negative impact on OHRQoL. In the group of 11-12year olds, 19.9% of children had advanced carious lesions and 23.2% showed moderate/severe fluorosis; 67.3% of children reported had an impact on OHRQoL. Children 11-12year olds with fluorosis (TFI ≥4) [OR=2.39 (95% CI 2.12-2.69)], caries (ICDAS ≥4) [OR=2.18 (95% CI 2.13-2.24)], and low brushing frequency [OR=2.04 (95% CI 1.21-3.44)] were more likely to have deterioration on OHRQoL. A negative impact on OHRQoL was observed in children with caries and fluorosis. Deterioration on OHRQoL found in children as a sequel of caries and fluorosis should be considered when designing health policies leading to prevention and effective health promotion programs and incorporated to clinical guidelines for timely dental treatment.

Excessive Game Playing Is Associated with Poor Toothbrushing Behavior among Athletic Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Miyagi, Japan.

Dental problems among athletes have been cautioned due to negative impacts not only on their oral health but also on athletic performance. Acquirement of appropriate oral health behavior mainly composed of toothbrushing in childhood can be one of the most important strategies for advancing children's athletic possibilities. Although habits of screen viewing, including game playing, and TV viewing have direct impacts on children's health and behavioral development, little is known about the association between these habits and toothbrushing frequency. A cross-sectional survey examining sports activities was conducted using a self-report questionnaire among school-aged athletic children belonging to the Miyagi Amateur Sports Association (n = 6,658). All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The association between a lower brushing frequency (< 2 times a day) and screen-viewing behavior was examined using multivariate logistic models after adjusting for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), studying time, and sleep duration. After adjustment for all covariates, longer game playing (> 2 hrs a day), but not TV viewing, significantly correlated with lower brushing frequency (P for trend < 0.001). Importantly, longer game-playing behavior was also associated with unhealthy dental behavior defined as a lower brushing frequency regardless of the awareness of dental caries (P for trend < 0.001). In conclusion, this is the first study indicating a type-specific unfavorable impact of screen viewing on oral health behavior among athletic children. Excessive game playing may adversely affect oral health literacy more strongly than TV viewing.

Root caries analysis in working population of 35-44 years of age (Spain).

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyse the influence of socio-demographic variables, toothbrushing frequency, frequency of snacking between meals, and tobacco and alcohol consumption, in root caries in the Spanish working population of Valencia and Murcia regions.Material and MethodsCross sectional study of 458 workers 35-44 years of age, who underwent a routine work-related check-up, from June 2009 to April 2010, and were also examined, following the WHO methodology, by a calibrated dentist. Stratified random sampling. Participants fulfilled a questionnaire comprising demographic data, toothbrushing frequency, snacking frequency and tobacco and alcohol consumption.ResultsThe DFS index (root caries) in the employed population of 35-44 years was 0.45 ± 1.3, with a root caries prevalence of 18.6% and an active root caries prevalence of 13.5%. Higher root caries prevalence and active root caries prevalence were associated with male gender, manual occupations, foreign country of origin, lower levels of education and income, lower brushing frequency and higher frequency of snacking between meals. The DFS index was associated with all studied socio-demographic variables, but gender, and it was also associated with brushing frequency. The mean number of root decayed teeth was associated with all socio-demographic variables, but country of origin, and it was also associated with brushing frequency.ConclusionsAdult workers 35-44 years of age showed worse root condition in regard to caries than general population of this age cohort. In this study, the frequency of toothbrushing and snacking between meals were the variables that influenced more in root caries. Key words:Root caries, working population, epidemiological studies, toothbrushing, snacking.

Toothbrushing Habits and Risk Indicators of Severe Early Childhood Caries Among Aboriginal Taiwanese

The purpose of this study was to investigate the toothbrushing habits and risk indicators among aboriginal children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). This was a cross-sectional purposive sampling study that included 281 aboriginal children aged 2 to 5 years living in remote regions in southern Taiwan. Participant received dental examinations and questionnaires that were completed by caretakers. From among the 281 participants, 238 children (84%) presented with S-ECC. A low-frequency toothbrushing habit among the children with S-ECC was associated with caretakers with low-frequency toothbrushing (P = .001). The odds ratio of a child using improper toothbrushing methods having a caretaker with a low brushing frequency was 3.45 (P = .0157). Low-frequency toothbrushing and improper toothbrushing methods were associated with S-ECC. The caretakers' brushing frequency was a risk indicator associated with the children's poor oral hygiene.

Influence of Oral Hygiene and Smoking on Pain and Swelling After Surgical Extraction of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars

To assess the pain and swelling during the first week after surgical extraction of impacted mandibular third molars and the relationship with oral hygiene and smoking before surgery and during the postoperative period. A prospective study was performed on patients undergoing surgical extractions of impacted mandibular third molars. Pain was recorded on a visual analog scale from 1 to 10 and swelling on a 4-point descriptive scale at 2, 6, and 12 hours after surgery and daily during the first postoperative week. Oral hygiene and smoking before surgery and during the postoperative period were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed of all the variables. A P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 50 patients (27 men and 23 women) with a mean age of 26.3 years (range 18 to 39) underwent surgical extraction of an impacted third molar. The maximum pain occurred during the first day and the maximum swelling at 24 hours after surgery. The patients with a lower brushing frequency before surgery reported greater pain. Likewise, the patients who smoked more after surgery experienced greater pain at 24 hours postoperatively. The hygiene after surgery and smoking before the surgical intervention had no statistically significant relationship to the occurrence of pain (P > .05). Swelling had no relationship with the variables studied (P > .05). Surgical extraction of an impacted third molar caused moderate pain and swelling during the first 24 hours after surgery. A lower brushing frequency before surgery and during the first postoperative week as well as smoking after surgery were related to greater pain scores.