Caries prevalence and distribution in 20-80-year-olds in Jönköping, Sweden, in 1973, 1983, and 1993.

In 1973, a cross-sectional study on oral health status was performed on 1000 individuals in the age groups 3-70 years in Jönköping, Sweden. In 1983 and 1993, new cross-sectional studies were carried out in the age groups 3-80 years. The aim of the present study was to analyze caries prevalence and distribution in the three investigations 1973, 1983, and 1993 in the age groups 20-80 years. In the younger age groups (20-40 years), a larger proportion of individuals with good oral health was found in 1993 than in 1973 or 1983. A steady increase in the number of teeth in the age groups 40-80 years could be found, which was also reflected in the increasing number of decayed and filled tooth surfaces (DFS) in the same age groups. A marked decrease in proximal DFS in 20-50-year-olds in 1993 compared to 1973 and 1983 was found. However, a rather large and unchanging group of individuals suffering from severe caries was also observed. This situation demands an individualized caries treatment strategy based on risk assessment.

Prevalence of some oral complaints and their relation to oral health variables in an adult Swedish population.

The aim of the study was to determine, in a randomly selected 20- to 70-year-old Swedish population, the prevalence of oral burning sensations and taste disturbances and their possible correlation to salivary factors, the presence of mandibular dysfunction, the prevalence of teeth, restorative procedures, caries and periodontal disease, and smoking habits. Of a total of 533 dentate individuals, 112 reported a total of 139 symptoms. Eleven of the 40 edentulous individuals reported a total of 14 symptoms. Burning sensations were reported by 18 (3.4%) of the dentate and 1 (2.5%) of the edentulous individuals. The symptoms of pricking and burning were significantly correlated to mandibular dysfunction and negatively correlated to the number of teeth. The symptom of bad taste was correlated to the number of amalgam-filled surfaces and to cigarette smoking. No other statistically significant correlation could be found.

Oral health of individuals aged 3-80 years in Jönköping, Sweden in 1973, 1983, and 1993. I. Review of findings on dental care habits and knowledge of oral health.

The aim of the present study was to compare data on dental care habits and knowledge of oral health in three cross-sectional studies carried out in 1973, 1983, and 1993. The 1973 study constituted a random sample of 1000 individuals evenly distributed in the age groups 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 years. The same age groups with addition of a group of 80-year-olds were included in the 1983 and 1993 studies which comprised 1104 and 1078 individuals, respectively. A questionnaire (23-101 questions) about dental care habits and knowledge of oral health was used in connection with a clinical and radiographic examination. The same questions were used in all the three studies. An addition to the 1993 investigation was questions concerning ethnographic background. In 1993 approximately 95% of all individuals were visiting the dentist on a regular basis every or every second year. The 30-year-olds, however, did not visit a dentist as regularly in 1993 as in 1983. The 70- and 80-year-olds visited a dentist more regularly in 1993 than in 1983. An increased number of adults in all age groups, except for the 70-year-olds, received their dental care in the Public Dental Service in 1993 compared to 1983 and 1973. Most 40-year-olds and older, however, received their dental care by private practitioners. About 80% of all adults in 1993 were enrolled in a recall system on the dentist's initiative while in 1973 most appointments were based on the patient's own initiative. The number of individuals who felt discomfort at the prospect of an appointment with the dentist was more or less the same in 1973, 1983, and 1993. The knowledge of the etiology of dental diseases has not changed much between 1973 and 1993. The frequency of toothbrushing has increased since 1973 and in 1993 more than 95% of all individuals brushed their teeth daily. The use of dental floss and toothpicks as well as disclosing tablets decreased in 1993 compared to 1983. Almost all individuals in 1993 used fluoride toothpaste. The use of topical fluorides and fluoride tablets in children had decreased considerably in 1993 compared to 1983.

Oral health of individuals aged 3-80 years in Jönköping, Sweden in 1973, 1983, and 1993. II. Review of clinical and radiographic findings.

The aim of this epidemiological study was to analyse various clinical and radiographic data on oral health and compare the results to those of two cross-sectional studies carried out in 1973 and 1983. In 1973, 1983, and 1993 a random sample of 1000, 1104, and 1078 individuals, respectively were studied. The individuals were evenly distributed in the age groups 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 years. In 1983 and 1993 80-year-olds were also included. All subjects were inhabitants of the community of Jönköping, Sweden. The clinical and radiographic examination assessed edentulousness, removable dentures, implants, number of teeth, caries, restorations and overhangs, oral hygiene, calculus, periodontal status, endodontic treatment, and periapical status. The number of edentulous individuals was reduced by half from 1973 to 1993 and is now 8% in the age groups 40-70 years. The mean number of teeth has increased and up to the age of 50 years the individuals had more or less complete dentitions. During the 20-year period there was generally decreasing number of carious lesions and restorations. In the 15- and 20-year-olds, however, there was an increasing number of decayed/filled tooth surfaces in 1993 compared to 1983. Furthermore, after the age of 50 there was an increase in number of restored tooth surfaces. As regards secondary caries there was an increase for the 10- and 15-year-olds between 1983 and 1993. For all other age groups there were only minor differences. Generally restorations exhibited a high quality and 85-90% had no proximal overhangs. In 1973 this figure was about 60%. Concerning the frequency of tooth surfaces exhibiting plaque and gingival inflammation there was a considerable decrease from 1973 to 1983, but during the period from 1983 to 1993 there seems to be no improvement. In some age groups there was even a significant increase in plaque (15-year-olds) and gingivitis (3-, 5-, 15-, 20-, and 60-year-olds). The frequency of individuals with one or more periodontal pockets (> 4 mm) increased with age. In 1993 the bone level at the age of 40 years corresponded to the bone level at the age of 20 years in 1973. The percentage of endodontically treated teeth was lower in 1993 in all age groups than in 1973 and 1983. The percentage of endodontically treated teeth with periapical or juxtaradicular destructions was unchanged in all three studies. The comparison of the three studies from 1973, 1983, and 1993 shows that there has been a great improvement in oral health over this 20-year period. In 1993, however, the increasing number of decayed/filled tooth surfaces in the 15- and 20-year-olds and an increase in plaque and gingivitis in some younger age groups calls for special attention.

Periodontal conditions around tipped and upright molars in adults. An intra-individual retrospective study.

In 69 individuals from a randomized epidemiological material comprising 450 adults, an intra-individual comparison of the periodontal condition of 73 mesially tipped molars (30 degrees or more to a line perpendicular to the occlusal plane) and contralateral upright molars was made. The alveolar bone level mesially and distally of each tooth was registered in periapical radiographs. The occurrence of plaque, gingivitis and probeable pocket depths of 4 mm or more mesially and distally of each tooth was registered. No significant differences between tipped and upright molars could be found, regardless of the variable tested. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed from an orthodontic as well as a periodontal and prosthetic point of view.

Vitamin B status and response to replacement therapy in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

The aim of the study was to determine, in a group of patients with therapy-resistant burning mouth syndrome (BMS), the possible deficiency of vitamins B1, B2, and B6 and the effect of proper vitamin replacement therapy. Sixteen individuals, aged 47 to 81 years, participated in the study. All underwent a base-line examination comprising anamnestic information, subjective assessment of symptoms, dietary registration, salivary analysis, and serum analysis of thiamine (B1), riboflavine (B2), and pyridoxine (B6). Fifteen individuals had low thiamine and/or riboflavine levels in accordance with suggested levels in the literature and were given replacement therapy. No effect on BMS of vitamin replacement therapy or placebo therapy could be demonstrated.