Port Harcourt Medical Journal

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2016  |  Volume : 10  |  Issue : 3  |  Page : 119--123

A study of the effect of frequency of tooth brushing on the prevalence of inflammatory periodontal diseases


Osagie Akhionbare, Patrick I Ojehanon 
 Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Osagie Akhionbare
Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Benin, Benin
Nigeria

Background: The use toothbrush and paste are the most common means of oral prophylaxis in Nigeria and how the frequency of this prophylaxis affects the prevalence of periodontal disease has not been fully ascertained. Aim: This study aims to assess if frequency of self-oral hygiene prophylaxis in a day, using the toothbrush and paste, had any relationship on the prevalence of inflammatory periodontal diseases, using the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN). Methods: A cross-sectional study of 894 subjects (428 males and 466 females), who reported for the first time at the Dental Centre, of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, were examined. Only those that used toothbrush and paste once or twice daily, as the only oral hygiene method and were 18 years and above of age, were selected and investigated. Results: 58.3% of the entire subjects surveyed and 63.1% of male subjects indicated twice-daily oral prophylaxis when compared to 53.9% of female subjects. There was a statistical significant difference in the distribution of subjects with respect to occupation, between the two groups. This difference was most marked among the professional subgroup as compared to other subgroups. There was a statistical significant difference in the prevalence of periodontal diseases as indicated by CPITN scores. The group that performed oral prophylaxis twice daily had a higher proportion of those with CPITN codes 0 and 1 whereas codes 3 and 4 were more predominant with the group that perform oral prophylaxis once daily. Conclusion: The distribution of CPITN scores had a relationship with the frequency of daily oral hygiene practices. In view of the results of this study, it is suggested that some form of preventive oral hygiene programs be embarked on where emphasis is placed on regular and higher frequency of tooth brushing.


How to cite this article:
Akhionbare O, Ojehanon PI. A study of the effect of frequency of tooth brushing on the prevalence of inflammatory periodontal diseases.Port Harcourt Med J 2016;10:119-123


How to cite this URL:
Akhionbare O, Ojehanon PI. A study of the effect of frequency of tooth brushing on the prevalence of inflammatory periodontal diseases. Port Harcourt Med J [serial online] 2016 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];10:119-123
Available from: https://www.phmj.org/article.asp?issn=0795-3038;year=2016;volume=10;issue=3;spage=119;epage=123;aulast=Akhionbare;type=0