Exploring oral hygiene practices, nutritional habits and caries risk among children, adolescents and young adults: a multiregional perspective in the post-COVID-19 era.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in late December 2019, has significantly altered the dietary and oral health-related habits and lifestyles of nearly every age group within the global population.

Aim: The purpose of this research is to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dietary behaviors, daily oral hygiene practices and caries risk among children, adolescents, and young adults from diverse regions within Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional analytical study spanning multiple regions of Saudi Arabia was carried out to assess the effects of COVID-19 on dietary habits, oral hygiene practices, and caries risk across various age groups within the Saudi population. A total of 655 participants were included in the study after providing informed consent. Data collection was performed using a questionnaire divided into four sections: personal and demographic information, socioeconomic information, oral hygiene practices, and dietary habits, both prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Results: There was a notable increase in the caries experience rate, which escalated from 26.1% before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to 45.0% during the pandemic (P < 0.001). The findings suggest a significant shift in the dietary practices of children and adolescents when comparing the two timeframes. Specifically, there was a marked rise in meal frequency (P < 0.001), snacking patterns (P < 0.001), and the consumption of sugary products like candies, chocolates, milk, and coffee (P < 0.001) during the pandemic. Furthermore, the percentage of children and adolescents brushing their teeth three times a day plummeted from 47.8% before the pandemic to a mere 4.3% during it (P < 0.001). The proportion of individuals using fluoride toothpaste also experienced a decline, falling from 15.9% before the pandemic to 5.2% during this crisis (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The study illustrates that the COVID-19 pandemic has substantially changed the dynamics of dental caries and oral health, resulting in an increased risk of caries and a worrying decline in daily oral hygiene practices. Additionally, there has been a significant drop in the application of topical fluoride via toothpaste. These findings point to the critical importance of personalized dental care during public health crises to alleviate negative effects and ensure the maintenance of oral health.