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.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries/prevention & control , Oral Hygiene , Child , Dental Devices, Home Care , Feeding Behavior , Female , Humans , Male , MethodsSubject(s)
Dental Caries/etiology , Feeding Behavior , Fluorides/administration & dosage , Oral Hygiene , Child, Preschool , Humans , Sweden , TabletsABSTRACT
The interaction of factors in the caries process has recently been discussed in a number of articles. Based on this, a new explanatory model has been constructed, consisting of an equilateral triangle with one of the apices on a horizontal line, along which dietary and oral hygiene habits are scaled. The triangle represents the total area of interaction. A horizontal line of resistance cuts off a lower part corresponding to the area within which caries does not occur. Through planogeometric calculations the remaining part of the triangle can be divided into areas, approximately corresponding to the relative caries values of various combinations of dietary and oral hygiene habits. The model has proved to be a useful instrument for demonstrating and creating an understanding of interactive processes among various groups of dental health personnel. The example presented is based on a pilot study of 55 4-year-old children in Malmö.
