Prevalence of interproximal oral hygiene habits and its influence on dental plaque presence and gingival bleeding in a group of students

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the interproximal oral hygiene habits (dental floss) in a group ofyoungsters and to assess its influence on the plaque index and gingival inflammation. 154youngsters aging from 14-18, from both genders and students at Escola de 22 Grau Tiradentes, in Porto Alegre/RS were exarniried. The clinical examination was performed by two examiners who used the Silness and Lõe plaque index (1964), and the Ainamo & Bay (1975) gingival bleeding index. Averages and frequencies were statistically compared by F test for free and proximal faces. Besides the clinical periodontal examination, the students were applied a questionnaire on their oral hygiene habits, whose answers made possible to gather them into 56 users (Us) and 98 non-users (N.Us) of dental floss. The obtained results with the questionnaire revealed that only 36.3%ofthe sample reported the daily use of dental floss. In relation to the clinicalexa.mination, the prevalence of individuais with visible plaque (92.5%)and gingival bleeding (94.5%) was high for both users and non- users. Nevertheless, when the extension and severity of sites with plaque and gingival bleeding, it was observed that there were no significant differences between users and non-users of dental floss concerning mean plaque index, frequency of visible plaque and gingival bleeding. It was concluded with the study that, in the way the dental floss is employed in this population, it does not represent an improvement to plaque control performed, exclusively, with brush.