Periodontal conditions in a Swedish city population of adolescents : A cross-sectional study

• The aim of this epidemiological survey was to analyze the periodontal conditions of 19-year old individuals in an urban area of Sweden, with special reference to gender and socioeconomic factors. A randomized sample of 272 individuals living in Göteborg, Sweden, was clinically examined with regard to oral hygiene, gingivitis, periodontal pockets, probing attachment loss (PAL) and gingival recession. Bitewing radiographs were used for assessments of alveolar bone level (ABL) and dental calculus. A questionnaire-based interview regarding oral hygiene habits was included. Data were analyzed with regard to differences between gender and socioeconomic grouping. The subjects showed a mean plaque score of 59% and a gingivitis score of 44%. 70% of the adolescents had a plaque score of ≥50%, whereas corresponding figure for gingivitis was 37%. 27% of the subjects had at least one tooth with gingival recession. The mean prevalence of sites with probing depth of ≥6 mm was 0.5, and the prevalence of PAL ≥2 mm was 0.7. A radiographic bone level of ≥2 mm was observed at on average 0.8 teeth per subject. Females had significantly less plaque and gingivitis than males and significantly higher number of teeth with gingival recession. There were no clinically significant differences in periodontal conditions between socioeconomic groups. In conclusion, the survey revealed higher prevalence of plaque and gingivitis among male than female adolescents but no differences between socioeconomic groups.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Odontologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Dentistry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Gender

Gingivitis

Oral epidemiology

Periodontal disease

Socio-economical

adolescent

adult

article

comparative study

cross-sectional study

female

human

male

mouth hygiene

periodontics

prevalence

questionnaire

sex difference

socioeconomics

Sweden

tooth plaque

Cross-Sectional Studies

Dental Plaque

Gingival Pocket

Humans

Oral Hygiene

Periodontal Diseases

Periodontal Index

Questionnaires

Sex Factors

Socioeconomic Factors

Adolescent

Adult

Cross-Sectional Studies

Dental Plaque

diagnosis

epidemiology

Female

Gingival Pocket

Gingivitis

Humans

Male

Oral Hygiene

Periodontal Diseases

Periodontal Index

Prevalence

Questionnaires

Sex Factors

Socioeconomic Factors

Sweden

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)