Modification of occurrence of caries in children by toothbrushing and sugar exposure in fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas

Abstract

A representative sample (2024 children, 7–16 years old) from fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas was studied. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on oral health habits; caries diagnoses were made by local dentists in municipal dental clinics. In the fluoridated area a positive correlation existed between toothbrushing frequency and occurrence of dental caries. In the nonfluoridated area the correlation was negative. This difference in the effect of toothbrushing on caries was statistically significant. Sugar exposure increased the difference.

Effect of Dental Plaque on Fluoride Uptake by Enamel from a Sodium Fluoride Varnish in vivo

“…There is also evidence that the effect of fluoride is pronounced in the presence of fermenting plaque, i.e. in children with poor oral hygiene and high sugar consumption [Hausen et al, 1981], when added in sugar products [Luoma et al, 1979], or when added to fermenting artificial plaque [Turto la, 1977]. In this study, however, the uptake of fluoride in the presence of plaque was not higher than without plaque.…”

Diet, nutrition and the prevention of dental diseases

“…When the effects of oral hygiene and fluoride were kept constant the children with a low-sugars intake in-between meals had 86% less buccal and lingual caries and 68% less approximal caries than children with high intakes of sugars in-between meals. In a study of over 2000 Finnish children aged between 7 and 16 years, Hausen et al 81 showed that intake of sugars, water fluoridation level and tooth brushing frequency were all important determinants of dental caries experience although sugars exposure was the least important of these factors. Kleemola-Kujala and Rasenen 82 , in a study of three different age groups of Finnish children (5, 9 and 13 years), found that poor oral hygiene and high sugars intake were both related to dental caries though the former was 84 conducted a study that investigated relationships between oral hygiene habits and dental caries in Swedish children in three age groups (4, 8 and 13 years) living in three different areas in Sweden.…”

The Relationship Between Diet, Nutrition and Dental Health: an Overview and Update for the 90s

“…Children with low sugars intakes between meals had significantly fewer caries than children with high sugars consumption between meals. Studies of older children have found the relationships between oral hygiene (Persson et al 1984), water fluoridation (Hausen et al 1981, Kleemola-Kujala & Rasanen, 1982, and S. mutans (Kristofferson et al 1986) and dental caries to be more important than the relationship between sugars intake and dental caries.…”