Showing papers on "Oral hygiene published in 1979"

A Longitudinal Study of Combined Periodontal and Prosthetic Treatment of Patients With Advanced Periodontal Disease

Abstract: Clinical and laboratory research endeavors have revealed unanimously that most, if not all, forms of periodontal disease are plaque associated disorders. Consequently, treatment of gingivitis and Periodontitis must always involve debridement, elimination of deepened periodontal pockets and other retention factors for plaque and the institution of a careful plaque control program including regularly repeated oral prophylaxis and tooth cleaning instruction. Studies by Lovdal et al.,1 Suomi et al.,2 Ramfjord et al.,3,4 Lindhe and Nyman,0 Rosling et al.,6 Axelsson and Lindhe' have documented that such treatment will eliminate clinical signs of gingivitis and prevent further deterioration of the supporting tissues. Frequently in cases of advanced Periodontitis, the destruction of the attachment apparatus has reached a level which calls for extraction of several teeth. This implies that towards the end of the initial treatment phase0 of such patients only a few teeth may remain, teeth which in addition to having reduced periodontal tissue support often also exhibit pronounced hypermobility or even signs ofprogressive, i.e. gradually increasing, mobility. In such cases there is an obvious need for splinting and additional prosthetic treatment,8 even if prevalent concepts prescribe that in this particular situation prosthetic treatment involving fixed bridgework is hazardous.9"11 It has been demonstrated,12'13 however, that teeth with severely reduced periodontal support and with progressive mobility can serve as reliable abutment teeth for extensive fixed splints/bridges provided periodontal health has been established and can be maintained in the remaining dentition, and provided the bridgework is designed as to preclude undue stress concentrations in the supporting apparatus. The present investigation describes the result of treatment of a group of patients who initially suffered from advanced Periodontitis, in many instances complicated

How dental conditions handicap the elderly.

Abstract: A sociodental investigation was carried out among 254 elderly people living at home in Nottinghamshire. The aim of the inquiry was to ascertain whether this group of people were handicapped by their dental conditions. The dental status of the sample was generally poor. 74% were edentulous and the condition of the full dentures worn by many of the subjects was unsatisfactory. A high proportion (59%) of the subjects had lesions of the oral mucosa. Many members of the sample were orally handicapped, either functionally or socially. 32% complained of oral pain and 30% claimed to have difficulty chewing. Also, subjects were embarrassed by the appearance of their teeth and by their dentures dropping during social contact. The perception of handicap, however, was not strongly related to dental status.

Radiation therapy of the oral cavity: Sequelae and management, part 1

Abstract: This is the first article in a two-part series dealing with the effects and manifestations in the oral cavity of radiation therapy of head and neck tumors In this section, oral mucous membranes, taste buds, edema and trismus, diet, salivary glands, bone, periodontium, teeth, and composition of oral flora are discussed Dental management of the dentulous patient is then approached; criteria for preradiation extraction are delineated In the next issue of Head & Neck Surgery, the final article in this series will discuss preradiation and postradiation extractions and will elaborate on the dental management (fluoride treatments, follow-up, and restorative care) of the dentulous patient Dental management of the edentulous patient will also be presented

Relation between medicines sweetened with sucrose and dental disease.

Abstract: The teeth of 44 children aged under 6 years who had been taking syrup medicines regularly for at least six months were compared with those of a control group of 47 children of similar ages. Dental disease was assessed by measuring dental caries, dental plaque, and gingivitis. The children who were receiving sucrose-based medicines had significantly more carious teeth and gingivitis. It is concluded that sucrose-based medicines continuously administered to children cause dental caries and gingivitis. Liquid medicines for children should be either unsweetened or sweetened with non-cariogenic substances.

Plaque Growth and Removal With Daily Toothbrushing

Abstract: Dental plaque growth was observed among 180 teenage boys during a 28-day period following prophylaxis. During this period, subjects brushed their teeth under supervision for 2 minutes daily. Plaque levels were measured immediately after brushing and 24 hours after brushing. Both levels increased rapidly during the first 14 days and appeared to be leveled off at 28 days. Less than half of the plaque was removed with one brushing per day leaving about 60% after brushing to promote rapid regrowth. Regrowth rate after brushing on the 28th day was 0.032 plaque units per hour over a 24-hour period. The regrowth rate for the group brushing with dentifrice was 27% lower than for the group brushing without a dentifrice.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on developing plaque and gingivitis in man.

Abstract: The present experiment was undertaken to assess the effect of hydrogen peroxide release during mouth rinsings on the composition of the microbiota of developing plaque in humans and the amount and pathogenecity of the plaque formed. The trial was designed as a double-blind crossover study of the effect of a mouthwash (Amosan) had a placebo rinse on the development of plaque and gingivitis in young adults. The active compound was available as a powder; the rinse consisted of 1.7 g powder dissolved in 30 ml hot tap water. Fourteen dental students participated in the trial. The students were examined during two consecutive periods, each consisting of one preparatory (during which active tooth cleaning measures were carefully practiced) and one main test period (during which mouth rinsings were the only plaque control measure). Each of the two test periods was initiated by a baseline examination following which the participants rinsed either with the active or the placebo mouthwash. The rinsings were performed immediately after breakfast, after lunch and after dinner. Measurements of Plaque and Gingival Index scores were performed 4, 7 and 14 days after the start of the no-toothbrushing period. Bacteria were sampled and examined after 7 and 14 days of trial. The results demonstrated that a mouthwash which released hydrogen peroxide effectively prevented the colonization of filaments, fusiforms, motile and curved rods as well as spirochetes in developing plaque. The mouthwash which was used as the only oral hygiene measure during a 2-week period furthermore markedly reduced the amount of plaque formed and significantly retarded gingivitis development. It is suggested that H202 released by mouthwashes during rinsing may prevent or retard the colonization and multiplication of anaerobic bacteria.

The Effectiveness of Dental Floss in Reducing Gingival Inflammation

Abstract: Unwaxed and waxed dental floss were clinically evaluated for effectiveness in reducing gingival inflammation. Two different scoring methods were employed. Both types of floss, when administered by a dental hygienist, were very effective, but no significant differences between them could be found. Both scoring methods led to the same conclusions, but one was more sensitive and provided more detailed information.

Periodontal disease and oral hygiene in a group of blind and sighted Israeli teenagers (14--17 years of age.

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to obtain up-to-date information on periodontal disease and oral hygiene status in Israel among 9th to 12th grade non-blind students and among the inmates of six schools for the blind aged 14--17 years. 460 sighted and 434 blind students participated in the study. The examination was for periodontal status and oral hygiene only. Periodontal status was recorded according to Russell's Periodontal Index (PI). Oral hygiene was assessed according to Greene & Vermillion's Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S). Mean PI for the non-blind group was found to be 0.23, and for the blind students 0.79. Partially blind students were found to have a lower mean PI value than the totally blind. PI values did not increase significantly with age. Blind students exhibited a fair-to-poor level of oral hygiene (according to Greene & Vermillion's categorization). Relatively healthier levels of oral hygiene were found in the partially blind as compared with the totally blind. Mean OHI-S did not vary with age in either group.

Intraindividual effect of daily supervised flossing on caries in schoolchildren.

Abstract: The aim was to study the effect of flossing on proximal caries in children grouped according to different combinations of dietary and oral hygiene habits. 140 12--13-year-old children flossed the right or the left lateral region of the mouth once every school-day for 2 years by pulling a waxed floss once up and down through the proximal contacts. Proximal caries was recorded on bitewing films, taken at the baseline and at the 2-year registration. Diet history was obtained four times during the period. Oral hygiene was classified according to the number of bleeding points registered with a feather-loaded probe at the final examination. Caries increments on the control side during the experimental period were calculated for groups with the same habits. A logical border with respect to the amount of new caries was then established between suitable and unsuitable dietary habits as well as between sufficient and insufficient oral hygiene. No statistically significant difference was found between the control and experimental subgroups in the different combinations of dietary and oral hygiene habits, neither with respect to the whole material nor comparable contralateral surfaces. The numerical differences were so small that the technique of flossing studied here cannot be recommended.

Patient dental values and their relationship to oral health status, dentist perceptions and quality of care.

Abstract: In this study, 1287 patients completed a questionnaire assessing knowledge of home care procedures, adherence to home care instructions, obstacles presented to the dentist in delivering care, and ability to pay for optimal care. Ninety-seven dentists that provided treatment for these patients completed a parallel questionnaire. Measures of oral health and the quality of restorative care were based on clinical examinations. It was found that though patient values and dental perceptions were associated, dentist perceptions did not closely match patient dental values. Analysis of variance indicated that patient dental values were related positively to both oral health measures and the quality of restorations. Patient-reported compliance with home care recommendations showed the strongest relationship to both oral health and quality of restorations.

Oral hygiene levels and behaviour in pre-clinical and final-year dental students.

Abstract: . The oral hygiene levels and behaviour in pre-clinical and final-year dental students attending Birmingham University 1977 were investigated. Gingival inflammation, bacterial plaque and calculus accumulations were clinically recorded. Tooth cleaning habits were assessed by a questionnaire. Oral hygiene habits differed between the two groups and an improvement in oral hygiene levels was evident in the final-year students. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the plaque index scores of the pre-clinical and final-year students, and for the gingival and calculus index scores of the male students. Thus in this investigation it was possible to show that improvement in oral hygiene does occur between the pre-clinical and final year of the undergraduate course.

Plaque growth while chewing sorbitol and xylitol simultaneously with sucrose flavored gum.

Abstract: In a recent study, sorbitol flavored chewing gum was found neither to increase nor decrease the normal rate of plaque formation, whereas high plaque scores were obtained with sucrose gum during 4 days of no mechanical tooth cleaning. The aim of the present study was to see if chewing sorbitol or xylitol flavored gum together with sucrose gum would affect the growth rate of plaque and whether chewing of xylitol flavored gum could reduce the amount of already formed plaque. Twenty-seven dental students refrained from mechanical oral hygiene measures from Monday to Friday morning for 3 weeks. The students were randomly divided into three groups. A three time crossed-over double-blind approach was used. During each test period one group chewed a combination of one piece sorbitol and one piece sucrose flavored gum five times per day, the second group correspondingly chewed xylitol and sucrose flavored gum, while the third group served as a no hygiene control group. After each test period the students in the control group chewed one piece of xylitol gum every 15 minutes for 2.5 hours. The participants started out each week with clean teeth and were at the end of each test period scored for visible plaque on the facial, mesial and lingual surfaces of their teeth. There was somewhat more plaque after 4 days of chewing sucrose-sorbitol and sucrose-xylitol gum combinations than after no oral hygiene alone. There was no difference between the two test treatments. The 2.5-hour chewing of xylitol flavored gum after the no oral hygiene period did not result in a reduction, of the 4–day-old plaque.

Toothbrushing in Finland.

Abstract: Oral hygiene behavior was surveyed in June 1971 by interviews with a sample comprising 1063 persons drawn to cover the total Finnish population aged 15 years and over. The interview revealed that the frequency of brushing as reported by dentulous interviewees was distributed as follows: less than once a day (32 %), once a day (25 %) and more than once a clay (43 %). Six percent of the interviewees stated that they did not brush their teeth. Most commonly the brushing was performed either as the last thing before retiring for the night (67 %) or immediately after waking up in the morning (47 %). There was a strong positive correlation between high socioeconomic status and high frequency of toothbrushing. Freshening of the breath and mouth was the most common (55%) reason for brushing the teeth and forgetfulness was the most frequent reason for neglecting it (56%). The investigation showed that the dental health behavior of the Finnish people with respect to brushing of the teeth has much room for improvement.

Assessment of the readability of dental health education literature.

Abstract: General dental practitioners have an important role in the dissemination of information to their patients and their advice is often reinforced with written health education material. Unfortunately, this written information is often of limited value for particular groups of patients because of its level of readability. This investigation of the problem was in two parts; firstly, a group of 140 secondary schoolchildren were asked to explain the meaning of a selection of words in common use in dental health education, and secondly, the readability of some current dental health education literature was assessed using the Fog Index. The results indicate that current dental health education literature reflects the reading ability of the designers rather than the ability of the potential target group. Many of the words in the dental profession's preventive vocabulary were not understood by the children. Over 80 % were unsure of the meaning of fluoride tablets, gum disease, gingivitis and oral hygiene. The results of this investigation indicate that dentists should ensure that dental health education literature is not unduly complex and should take more time explaining the dental vocabulary in lay terminology.

The relationship between dental cleanliness, dental caries incidence and gingival health. A longitudinal study.

Abstract: The relationship between dental cleanliness, dental caries incidence and gingival health. A longitudinal study

Facilitating oral hygiene in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Abstract: Ten patients with chronic schizophrenia and with poor maintenance of dental hygiene were instructed, using a variety of motivational and reinforcement techniques, to improve oral hygiene. Results indicated significant changes in several of the most maladaptive behaviors.

Oral hygiene status of dental students as related to their personal and academic profiles.

Abstract: This paper studied the correlation among a number of personal, pre-dental and dental academic variables and sutdent's own personal oral hygiene. Oral hygiene status of 127 second year dental student was meadured accouding to O'Leary, Drake and Naylor (1972). The overall mean plaque score was 46.7% . Only 18.8 % of the students had excellent and good oral hygiene, while 63% of them had poor and very poororal hygiene. There were negative relationships approaching significance between the plaque score of students and their first year dental grade point avderage and second year dental grade point average. A significant negative correlation was observed between plaque score and test scores in Periodontology I. Students who had a better oral hyginene status tended ot obtain higher grades in periodontology I An analysis of the variance for the mean of each of the eleven variables as classified by oral hygiene status was performed. In general, students with better oral hygiene tended to achieve significantly gigher test scores than those students with less favorable oral hygiene in at least seven of the stated academic variables.

A longitudinal study of multiple approaches to dental health education.

Abstract: An evaluation was made of the separate effects on oral hygiene of token reward treatments, discovery (project) learning, and plaque staining feedback demonstrations with children in the first through fifth grades. Both short- and long-term effects were assessed in an open classroom setting. Twenty classrooms were non-randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Plaque scores were recorded according to the Podshadley Patient Hygiene Performance Index (PHP) at. time T0, before initiation of any of the educational interventions; and again at times T1, T2, and T3: 7 days, 74 days and 255 days, respectively, following cessation of the educational interventions. The combination of dental health interventions at this school had short-range effects at every grade level, and those effects persisted for 9 months among the third and fourth graders. It was not possible to identify which of the various treatments produced the observed differences, although the project learning method was generally less effective. A linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the shifts in oral hygiene behavior, a method not previously used in studies of this type.

Oral health of South African Black (Xhosa) mine recruits.

Abstract: The oral health of 100 rural Black Xhosa men commencing employment on the gold mines was examined. Dental caries was present in 68 %, the mean DMFT per mouth was 2.5 (s.d. 2.8) while the mean DMFT per carious mouth was 3.7 (s.d. 2.7). Oral hygiene was good and periodontal disease uncommon. Although the frequency of individuals with dental caries has increased since studies on similar groups were made 40 years ago, the severity of the disease in affected individuals has remained static.

Fluoridation and dental health.

Abstract: a successful fluoridation program is that, by reducing the prevalence of dental caries, it enables dental personnel to deal with a larger number of patients. In New Zealand, in a community that has received fluoridated water supplies for some years, one dental nurse can provide care for more than 700 children, as compared with 400 children in communities where the water supply is not fluoridated. Recent studies in the USSR indicate that controlled water fluoridation has reduced the need for dental treatment and extractions by 40 per cent and the need for prosthetic work by 20 per cent to 30 per cent. Fluorides can produce harmful effects if taken in excess. The presence of fluoride in the water at the time dental enamel is formed may