Prevalence of Gingivitis in a Group of 35- to 70-Year-Olds Residing in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: Gingivitis, an inflammation of the gingival tissues, typically progresses to periodontitis. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of gingivitis in 35- to 70-year-olds residing in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and assess the differences in gingivitis distribution between age and gender groups. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with a sample of patients from a private practice and patients/employees of the Puerto Rico Medical Center. Participants completed a medical history questionnaire and received soft/hard tissue and gingival assessments based on a modified Löe-Silness index. Descriptive statistics were employed to estimate the overall gingivitis prevalence, severity (mild, moderate, severe), and mean gingival index (GI). Bleeding on probing (BOP) prevalence and the mean percentage of BOP sites were calculated by gender and age. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between age, gender, and severity in 3 categories; multivariate logistic regression was used for having >=40% sites with BOP (vs. having <40% sites with BOP as reference). Odds ratios were also estimated. RESULTS: All 300 participants (52% women; 48% men) had gingivitis. The mean GI was 1.38. Moderate gingivitis was detected in 83% of the participants, mild in 7.3%, and severe in 9.3%. BOP was observed in 99% of the subjects (mean % BOP sites = 34%). After adjusting for age, men had significantly higher odds of moderate (OR = 4.66) and severe gingivitis (OR =10.06), compared to women, as well as 1.76 times higher odds of having 40% or more sites with BOP. CONCLUSION: Gingivitis was observed in all participants. Men had significantly higher GI, compared to women. The prevalence of gingivitis was higher in Puerto Rico than in the US.

Oral Health Knowledge and Oral Hygiene Habits in a Sample of 12-Year-Old Hispanics: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between hygiene knowledge and habits and gingivitis in Puerto Rican school children. METHODS: Questionnaires on oral health knowledge and hygiene habits were provided to almost half of the 12-year-olds who participated in an island-wide cross-sectional oral health study. The evaluations included gingival examinations in 2 quadrants. Odds ratios (ORs) (with 95% CIs) were computed using logistic regression models and oral health-related knowledge and hygiene habits to gingivitis. RESULTS: Of the 823 participants who completed the questionnaire 53.43% were female, and 81% had gingivitis. Most reported having received instructions on brushing (98%), flossing (89.5%), and using mouthwash (90%). The majority (75%) rated their gums as healthy, and 44.68% agreed that oral health affects general health. Nearly half (44%) reported brushing their teeth at least 2 times a day, and 80.25%, flossing daily. In multivariate analysis, not having been instructed on how to brush was related to greater odds of having gingivitis (OR: 7.32; 95% CI: 1.5-35.67). Flossing more than once a day was associated with half the odds of gingivitis (OR: 0.50; 95% CI: 0.29-0.88). CONCLUSION: The children had knowledge of oral hygiene methods but were mostly unaware that gingival health could affect systemic health. Fewer than half reported brushing 2 or more times a day. Not having been instructed on how to brush was associated with higher odds of gingivitis.