Self-reported oral hygiene habits among institutionalised elderly and their relationship to the condition of oral tissues in Taubate, Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To record self-reported hygiene habits, examine the oral conditions of a sample group of institutionalised elderly, and examine possible relationships between these habits and conditions.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

All the institutions for the elderly in Taubaté, Brazil.

SUBJECTS

The entire population of these institutionalised elderly people (n = 553).

INTERVENTION

The subjects were interviewed and underwent an oral examination.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Oral hygiene habits, oral conditions and statistical relationships between habits and oral conditions were recorded.

RESULTS

The average age of the subjects who knew their age (n = 364) was 74.9 years (+/-12.9), and 64.7% of the sample group were females. Denture-related stomatitis was found in 19.5%, impaired manual dexterity in 40%, dry mouth sensation in 36.3%, difficulty in performing oral hygiene in 20%, no oral hygiene-related orientation in 54.1%, no periodic oral examinations in 59.5%, and no tongue cleaning in 68.3% was declared. Among dentate subjects, 73.3% had periodontal disease, 54.7% had caries, 26% reported no toothbrushing, and 7.3% reported flossing. Of the denture wearers, 7% did not brush their dentures. Denture-related stomatitis showed a statistical relationship with impaired manual dexterity (p = 0.012) and an inverse statistical relationship with denture brushing frequency (p = 0.006). Periodontal disease showed an inverse relationship to flossing (p < 0.001) and tongue cleaning (p = 0.0026). Caries showed an inverse relationship with tooth-brushing (p = 0.043), flossing (0.022), proper oral hygiene orientation (p = 0.041) and periodical check-ups (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Oral hygiene practices in this sample group were found to be inadequate, and statistically significant relationships were verified between the lack of good oral hygiene practices and the deleterious oral conditions.

Self-reported denture hygiene of a sample of edentulous attendees at a University dental clinic and the relationship to the condition of the oral tissues

OBJECTIVES

This article aims to evaluate the habits of hygiene and usage of a sample group of Brazilian wearers of complete dentures.

DESIGN

This study has a cross-sectional design.

SETTING

It was performed in the dental clinic of the University of Mogi das Cruzes.

SUBJECTS

A sample group of 236 complete denture wearers was selected.

INTERVENTION

The individuals were interviewed and clinically examined.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Most commonly used hygiene habits were assessed and recorded. Possible relationships between habits and oral conditions were also assessed.

RESULTS

Dental treatment was sought by 43.6 % 10 years after their last dental appointment, 77.5 % declared they had been given no instructions regarding the hygiene of their dentures, only 22.9% said they had been instructed about oral hygiene, and 91.9% stated they had not been told to return for periodical review visits. Denture stomatitis was found in 42.4%, although 89% of these patients presented with no symptoms; 98.7% of the group brushed their dentures; 27.1% regularly immersed their dentures in chemical products; 26.3% removed their dentures overnight. A positive relationship was observed between the lack of recommendations regarding oral and denture cleansing and the presence of denture-related stomatitis and hyperplasia. Family income and periodicity of visits to the dentist were also found to be related.

CONCLUSION

Mechanical cleaning is the most prevalent method of hygiene. Self-reported lack of guidance to oral care was statistically related to inflammatory oral conditions. Future research is necessary to clarify possible causal role between these factors.