engleski

Influence of Dietary Habits on Oral Hygiene in Children

Objectives The objectives of this study were to determine whether there is a correlation between children’s oral hygiene and dietary habits, and is this relationship changed through different age groups. Additionally, we analyzed changes of dietary habits and oral hygiene index by age groups. Methods A total of 102 children aged between 0 and 18 participated in the study, with the ratio of female and male respondents being approximately the same. Based on the age children were divided into three groups ; pre-school age children (0 to 6 years), young school-age children (7 to 10 years) and older school-age children (11 to 18 years). Two short questionnaires were prepared and participants could select only one answer to the asked question. Questionnaire on oral hygiene consisted of six questions, and the questionnaire on dietary habits of children consisted of seven questions. In order to replace questioned parameters with one variable we formed two variables, dietary habits (DH) and oral hygiene index (OHI). Score was calculated based on the responses from the questionnaire and children were divided either in a group with good or with poor oral hygiene, and in a group with good or bad dietary habits. Results The results of the study showed there was a statistically significant difference in oral hygiene index of different age groups: the highest in children of the youngest age (up to 6 years), and lower in children in the other two age groups. Analysis of age and dietary habits of children was related to the existence of statistically significant effects of age on dietary habits, with one becoming worse with age. Conclusions No statistically significant correlation was determined between the oral hygiene index and the dietary habits of children. In addition, oral hygiene and dietary habits correlation is not connected with the age of children

dietary habits ; oral hygiene ; children

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