Oral status, oral hygiene, and patient satisfaction in the elderly with dental implants dependent on substantial needs of care for daily living.

Using osseointegrated implants to replace teeth is a routine procedure today. This study investigated oral status, oral hygiene habits, and patient satisfaction in elderly with dental implants who were dependent on substantial support for daily living. Twenty-six persons over the age of 65 who were dependent on supportive care were examined. Data collected included the number of teeth and implants, plaque scores, bleeding on probing, and oral hygiene habits. Self-perceived knowledge about managing their implants and satisfaction with the implants was recorded. Subjects had a total of 148 natural teeth and 144 implants. Only a few signs of oral disease were found and the tissues around implants were healthier than around natural teeth. No correlations between oral hygiene habits and plaque scores or bleeding were found. A majority of the subjects were satisfied with their implants. Dental implants have satisfactory function even in individuals who are elderly and have substantial needs for supportive care.

Classification system for toothbrushing habits.

AIM: For orthodontic patients, optimal oral prophylaxis is essential. In this article, a classification system for toothbrushing habits, according to three criteria that can indicate the direction of guidance for primary school children, is discussed. METHODS: Toothbrushing habits of children are evaluated according to three criteria (frequency of toothbrushing, attitude toward voluntary toothbrushing, and thoroughness of toothbrushing). Computer-generated classification graphs, performance tables, and component tables were obtained based on the responses to 26 questions. RESULTS: The children can be classified into different types, according to the three criteria, on the graphs. Performance tables indicate the items that require guidance, while component tables indicate the priority of the items that require guidance. CONCLUSION: The quantitative assessment of toothbrushing habits for children is possible, using this new classification system.

Dental erosion in a group of British 14-year-old, school children. Part III: Influence of oral hygiene practises.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were firstly to describe the dental history and oral hygiene practises in a cluster random sample of 14-year-old children in Birmingham, UK. The second aim was to determine whether the oral hygiene practises are associated with dental erosion. METHOD: A total of 418, 14-year-old schoolchildren from a cluster random sample in Birmingham, UK were assessed for dental erosion (209 males and 209 females). Data on the dental history and oral hygiene practises were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire supplemented by a structured interview. The data were analysed using SPSS with Mann-Whitney U analyses and odds ratios. RESULTS: 74% of the teenagers claimed to attend the dentist on a six-monthly basis; 60% brushed their teeth twice a day ie before breakfast and last thing at night, 25% once a day, 12% three times or more a day and 3% less than once a day. It was a so found that 28% of the children brushed their teeth after meals; 92% of the children used a manual toothbrush and 56% of them replaced their toothbrush every three-months. The most common technique used by the children was a circular brushing movement; 44% of them used a mouthwash and 40% used other interdental cleaning. Girls brushed their teeth more frequently than boys. Associations were found between dental erosion and brushing teeth last thing at night, after meals, techniques of brushing teeth, and type of toothbrush and frequency of brushing. It was concluded that reported oral hygiene practises in teenage schoolchildren in Birmingham, UK complied with generally recommended guidelines. However, there was an association between dental erosion and some of these oral hygiene practises. Advice concerning the impact of some oral hygiene procedures needs to be given to those who are susceptible to dental erosion.

Nutritional variables related to gingival health in adolescent girls.

In order to study the nutritional variables associated with gingival health, a case-control study was designed to control strong variables whose effect on gingival status may obscure the potential effect of weaker ones, such as nutrition. Two groups of 27 gingivitis-affected and -unaffected female adolescents were selected. All were aged 17-19 years, with mean age of the two groups statistically not different. All were non-smokers, all reported daily toothbrushing frequency of twice/day or more, and none had clinical signs of hyponutrition. Mean DMFT of the two groups was statistically not different. The effect of nutritional variables, obtained by a three-day food record and by assessing the nutritional status of the girls, on presence/absence of gingivitis was evaluated by a variety of stepwise logistic regression analyses. Age (positive correlation), riboflavin, calcium and frequency of fibre intake (negative correlations) significantly explained the risk for gingivitis. Strong intercorrelation between riboflavin and calcium was also found, due to the high quantity of milk consumed by the girls, since this food provided the main source of riboflavin and calcium. The data suggest that some dietary measures may be useful for the maintenance of healthy gingival status.