Over the last years the issue of inflammatory processes affecting periodontal tissue in children and adolescents has been an integral part of children’s dentistry. Chronic catarrhal gingivitis is the most common form of periodontal diseases.
According to the results of multiple studies, primary forms of inflammatory periodontal diseases in children and adolescents are first of all related to unfavorable impact of microscopic flora of dental plaque which acts as a mechanical, chemical and biological irritant on periodontal tissue. Traditional clinical trials performed by Н.Loe demonstrate that dental plaque accumulation results in gum inflammation and its removal and thorough oral hygiene result in gum recovery. The aim of this research was to study oral hygiene index before and after professional tooth brushing in schoolchildren with different educational load.
Materials and methods: the author performed examination of oral cavity in children who are enrolled in different education programs (group program (first group) and traditional program (second group)) before the professional tooth brushing and after it. Index assessment for dental plaque determination was carried out by two methods: hygiene index according to Fedorov-Volodkina (1982) and simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) J.C. Green, J.R. Vermillion (Oral Hygiene Indices Simplified) (1964). The study involved 18 schoolchildren who were from 10 years old, 10 of these schoolchildren belonged to the first group and, correspondingly, 8 of them belonged to the second group.
The results of proper studies and their discussion: the results of hygiene index determination according to Fedorov-Volodkina. These data show that the rate from 1 to 1,5, which is typical for good oral hygiene, was observed in 78% of schoolchildren. The index in 14% of children in the first group was found to be satisfactory. The index of unsatisfactory hygiene, which amounts from 2,1 to 2,5 points, was not observed. The index comprising from 2,6 to 3,4 points, which implicates poor oral hygiene, was found in 8% children. Extremely poor oral hygiene was not observed.
Simplified oral hygiene index data before the tooth brushing revealed a similar pattern. The majority of children (83%) had low score (0-0,6 points), which confirmed good oral hygiene. Middle level, i.e., satisfactory oral hygiene was observed, correspondingly, in 7% of schoolchildren (from 0,7 to 1,6 points). Unsatisfactory and poor oral hygiene indices were not observed.
The following results were obtained after the professional tooth brushing with the employment of circular brush and professional toothpaste “Depural-neo”: index score according to Fedorov-Volodkina signified good oral hygiene in 98% of children, according to J.C. Green, J.R. Vermillion – in 97% of schoolchildren. The indices of 2% and 3% of examined children, correspondingly, identified satisfactory hygiene.
Thus, it is possible to draw a conclusion that the dental plaque removal resulted in a significant improvement of oral hygiene in children which confirmed its important role in the system of preventive measures in children.