Assessment of oral hygiene maintenance in 12-18-year-old children and teenagers with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Abstract

Background: Good oral hygiene is very important to ensure successful orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatments may cause plaque accumulation and in this way the development of caries and periodontal diseases which are basically caused by dental plaque. The aim of this study was to compare the features of oral hygiene among different age groups and genders in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances.

Material and methods: The study involves 118 patients aged 12 to 18 (64 males (54.2%) and 54 females (45.8%)) with fixed orthodontic appliances from the Department of Orthodontics at Danylo Halytskiy Lviv National Medical University. The patients completed the questionnaires which included 19 questions about their oral hygiene.

Results: It was revealed that 59 females (92.19±3.35%) believe that oral hygiene is important, but among the males number of such persons have been significantly lower - 41 (75.93±5.82%), p<0.05. Statistically significant result was obtained showing that females (46 patients (71.88±5.62%) use interdental brushes more regular (every day) than males (26 (48.15±6.80%), p<0.05. Comparing the differences between the regularity of teeth brushing in different age groups showed that 53 patients (82.81±4.72%) aged 12 to 15 and 46 (85.19±4.83%) aged 16 to 18 claimed that they brush their teeth regularly, twice a day, 8 (12.50±4.13%) and 6 (11.11±4.28%), respectively - once a day.

Conclusion: In patients with fixed orthodontic appliances oral hygiene of 16-18-year-old respondents is better than the oral hygiene of 12-15-year-old ones.