Effect of dietary habits on laser fluorescence values of visually sound occlusal surfaces among Finnish schoolchildren

Association of Dental Fear with Caries Status and Self-Reported Dentition-Related Well-Being in Finnish Conscripts

The main aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the prevalence of dental fear among Finnish conscripts. Other aims were to study the association between dental fear and cariological status as well as their self-reported, dentition-related well-being. The study material consisted of 13,564 men and 255 women conscripts who underwent oral examinations. Of those, 8713 responded to a computer-based questionnaire. The mean number of decayed teeth (DT) was used in analyses for cariological status. Self-reported dental fear, dentition-related well-being and regular check-ups were analysed. Data were analysed with cross tables, Pearson Chi-Square tests, Fisher’s exact test and binary logistic regressive analysis. High dental fear or finding dental visits very scary was associated with DT > 2 both among women (14.6%, when DT = 0; 33.3%, when DT > 2) and men conscripts (2.3% and 10.8%, respectively). In addition, those reporting that dental health had a negative impact on their well-being and had no regular check-ups were more likely to need cariological treatment than the rest. A high education level, both one’s own and parental, was a protective factor for restorative treatment need in male conscripts. The findings of this study support the concept of a vicious cycle of dental fear and dental caries. A preventive, interactive way of work by dental teams would most likely be beneficial for dental health, avoiding the development of dental fear, and dentition-related well-being.

Consumption of snacks and dental caries among Finnish young men: a cross-sectional epidemiological study

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of consumption of snack products, as well as the association between snacking and restorative treatment need, and associated factors among a healthy Finnish male population. Approximately 8500 conscripts answered a computer-based questionnaire covering their snacking habits and other health behaviours. Restorative treatment need and history (DT, DMFT) were examined by trained and calibrated dentists. Cross-tabulations were used to investigate the associations between snacking habits and the other researched variables, and logistic regression analyses (odds ratio and 95% confidence interval) were used to investigate the variables influencing the restorative treatment need. In the present study, almost one-third of the study group consumed snack products daily, most often fizzy and energy drinks. Only 10% had received a diet counselling. The most common situations involving snacking were at the cinema and while playing computer games. According to Pearson’s Chi square test, snacking was associated with smoking and snuffing and infrequent tooth brushing (p < 0.001). According to the regression analyses, daily snacking, smoking, and doing exercise daily increased the odds for restorative treatment need whereas higher education level and tooth brushing twice or more often per day decreased the odds for restorative treatment need. It can be concluded that daily snacking is common among Finnish young men and is associated with restorative treatment need. Snacking is also associated with other harmful oral and general health habits. Individual dietary counselling should be routinely offered to everybody in dental clinics.

Association of dietary habits with restorative dental treatment need and BMI among Finnish conscripts: a cross-sectional epidemiological study

OBJECTIVE

Processed foods and fatty, sugary snacking products, such as fizzy drinks and desserts, have become more popular, causing a desire to replace meals with snacks worldwide. High-sugar and fat-rich food components have been reported to be associated with increased level of dental caries as well as underweight and overweight. The aim of the present cross-sectional population-based study was to analyse the eating behaviours of young, healthy Finnish males in association with oral health and BMI, considering self-reported and residential background factors.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Finnish Defence Forces, Finland.

PARTICIPANTS

The used clinical data were gathered from 13 564 Finnish conscripts born in the beginning of the 1990s through clinical check-ups. In addition, about 8700 of the conscripts answered a computer-assisted questionnaire ('Oral Health of the Conscripts 2011' data) about their background information and health habits.

RESULTS

There was distinct variation in dietary patterns. Eating breakfast, regular physical exercise and daily tooth brushing all decreased the odds for restorative dental treatment need (decayed teeth), whereas smoking and drinking fizzy drinks for quenching thirst increased it. Eating breakfast and dinner were each associated with lower BMI, but smoking increased the odds for higher BMI (≥25 kg/m2).

CONCLUSIONS

Regular, proper meals and especially eating breakfast decreased the odds for both dental caries and high BMI (≥25 kg/m2).

Dietary and oral hygiene habits of active athletes and adolescents attending ordinary junior high schools

BACKGROUND

Active sports require sufficient energy intake. How do young athletes meet this need? The aim of this study was to investigate self-reported health and oral behaviors of young athletes and to compare them with a population-based sample of ordinary adolescents.

DESIGN

A computer-based questionnaire on oral hygiene habits and dietary habits was conducted in two junior high schools with special classes for athletes in 2011. Adolescents of similar age (n=1230) attending ordinary classes had responded the same questionnaire earlier in the city of Oulu (in 2004) and in Kajaani, Finland (in 2006-2007). Answers to individual questions as well as sum scores of the answers were analyzed. The answers of the athletes and ordinary adolescents were analyzed by gender using cross-tabulation and chi-square testing.

RESULTS

The mean sum score of the athletes indicated their more favorable health behavior compared with the other adolescents. They also ate more frequently the four daily than the others; in addition, they ate the school lunch as an entity which it was intended. However, the athlete boys consumed more fizzy/soft drinks and ate chocolate more often than the rest. The athletes also brushed their teeth more frequently than ordinary adolescents. Oral health behavior of the girls was better than that of the boys.

CONCLUSIONS

Health behavior of the young athletes is better than that of other adolescents. Continuous oral health education should be targeted to all adolescents; growing boys should be target group of information on healthy sources of energy.

Topical xylitol administration by parents for the promotion of oral health in infants: a caries prevention experiment at a Finnish Public Health Centre

OBJECTIVES

This demonstration programme tested topical use of xylitol as a possible oral health promoting regimen in infants at a Finnish Public Health Centre in 2002-2011.

METHODS

Parents (usually mothers) began once- or twice-daily administration of a 45% solution of xylitol (2.96 m) onto all available deciduous teeth of their children at the age of approximately 6-8 months. The treatment (xylitol swabbing), which continued till the age of approximately 36 months (total duration 26-28 months), was carried out using cotton swabs or a children's toothbrush; the approximate daily xylitol usage was 13.5 mg per each deciduous tooth.

RESULTS

At the age of 7 years, caries data on the deciduous dentition of 80 children were compared with those obtained from similar, untreated children (n = 90). Xylitol swabbing resulted in a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the incidence of enamel and dentine caries compared with the comparison subjects (relative risk 2.1 and 4.0, respectively; 95% confidence intervals 1.42-3.09 and 2.01-7.98, respectively). Similar findings were obtained when the children were 5 or 6 years old. The treatment reduced the need of tooth filling relative risk and 95% confidence intervals at 7 years: 11.86 and 6.36-22.10, respectively; P < 0.001). Compared with untreated subjects, the oral counts of mutans streptococci were reduced significantly (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Considerable improvement in dental health was accomplished in infants participating in a topical at-home xylitol administration experiment, which was offered to families in the area by the Public Health Centre as a supplement to standard oral health care. Caregiver assessment of the programme was mostly rated as high or satisfactory.

Dietary and oral hygiene intervention in secondary school pupils

BACKGROUND

To enhance the well-being of secondary school pupils by improving their eating habits, especially school-based eating, a joint project, including oral health intervention, was conducted during the academic year 2007-2008.

AIM

The aim was to study the effect of a dietary intervention on schoolchildren's eating habits and laser fluorescence (LF) values of teeth.

METHODS

Twelve schools in three cities, Finland, were randomly assigned to be intervention and control schools. Two of the intervention schools were further assigned in the instruction of oral hygiene. In 2007 and 2008, the pupils (n=739 and 647, respectively) answered a questionnaire on dietary and oral health habits, and LF values on the occlusal surfaces of molars and premolars were determined.

RESULTS

The frequency of eating a warm meal and drinking water at school to quench thirst increased in the intervention schools but decreased in the control schools (P<0.001 and P=0.005, respectively). LF values in molars decreased in schools with dietary intervention only (P=0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

  The 1-year dietary intervention was long enough to show improvement in eating habits and in habits for quenching thirst, and some decrease in the LF values of molars.