Paediatria Croatica, Vol. 64 No. 1, 2020.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.13112/PC.2020.5
Influence of dietary habits on oral hygiene in children
Martina Batinić
Rebecca Bašić
Sanja Kolarić
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a correlation between children’s oral hygiene and dietary habits, and
whether this relationship changed through different age groups. Additionally, we analysed changes in dietary habits and oral
hygiene index by age groups. A total of 102 children aged between 0 and 18 years participated in the study, with approximately the
same ratio of female and male respondents. Children were divided into three groups according to age: preschool 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 question asked. The questionnaire on oral hygiene consisted of six
questions, and the questionnaire on dietary habits of children of seven questions. In order to replace questioned parameters with one
variable, we formed two variables, dietary habits (DH) and oral hygiene index (OHI). The score was calculated based on the responses from the questionnaire and children were classified into the group with either good or poor oral hygiene and in the group with
either good or poor dietary habits. The results of this study showed a statistically significant difference in oral hygiene index among
different age groups; it was 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. No statistically significant correlation was found between the oral hygiene index and dietary
habits of children. In addition, the correlation of oral hygiene and dietary habits was not connected with the age of children.
Keywords
DIET; ORAL HYGIENE; PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Hrčak ID:
243750
URI
Publication date:
25.3.2020.
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