Role of lifestyle in causation of dental caries

ABSTRACT

Oral infections are present in almost every individual and dental caries is commonest one with a prevalence of 54.1-55.57%. Most of the carious teeth in the developing countries tend to go untreated to such an extent that the only treatment option available is extraction. Essential factors which can cause dental caries are. Sweet sticky and smooth diet and, cariogenic bacteria. Dietary habits and teeth cleaning practices depends on life style. Lifestyle is known to influence health and may be responsible for many diseases. Therefore a need was identified to document the lifestyle on oral health among the Pakistani population. To see the status of oral health in residents of Lahore. To know the life style of the people [dietary and teeth cleaning habits] and to formulate a health education program for improvement of oral health. A case control study Place and duration of the study. Dental OPD of Mayo hospital and OPD of Dc' Montmorency college of dentistry Feb. to April 2003 Pre- tested questionnaire was used to interview the cases and control groups Results:-poor personal hygiene, smoking, carbonated drinks, tea/coffee intake and excessive sugar intake have a statistically significant role in causation of dental caries -All the causative factors of dental caries, comes under the domain of life style. So a healthier lifestyle [good personal hygiene, non cariogenic diet] should be promoted through health education of the community