“TO STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP OF ORAL HYGIENE AND GINGIVITIS WITH THE INFLUENCE OF TOOTH BRUSHING HABITS IN CHILDREN OF MEERUT DISTRICT”

Abstract

Oral hygiene as a means and an end is a relatively novel concept which has only attained tactic public recognition as a desirable cosmetic endeavor during this last century. Numerous factors may affect the distribution of plaque and gingivitis in the mouth. Of considerable importance must be the oral hygiene habits of each person, which will be influenced by compliance and dexterity with tooth cleaning methods. Most people exercise some measure of oral hygiene, and tooth brushing seems to be the method of choice providing thorough and regular cleaning. AIMS & OBJECTIVES: This present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different brushing habits on dental plaque accumulation and gingival health of children of Meerut district. RESULTS: The results of the study revealed that plaque index and modified gingival index was not affected by sex and residing status of the children. Toothbrush was observed to be the best brushing aid, followed by name datum and then finger. Further, it was found that children who used toothpaste as a dentifrice showed lesser degree of plaque and gingivitis as compared to children who used toothpowder and those who used no dentifrice. The scores were the highest in children who were using raakh as a dentifrice. Brushing once or twice daily proved to be the best frequency of brushing, followed by alternate days, occasionally and the highest for children who did not brush. It was observed that plaque was found to be directly related to gingivitis irrespective of the sex, residing status, type of brushing aid, dentifrice used and frequency of brushing. Therefore, it can be concluded that more school dental health education programs should be carried out, focusing on the need of tooth brushing using a suitable dentifrice at least once a day to maintain good oral hygiene.