Relevance: Oral diseases are common health problems worldwide and have serious consequences. About 93% of the Ukrainian population requires dental care. The rural population is particularly vulnerable. Oral health affects quality of life, including good diction, enjoyment of food, and a pleasant expression.
Cavities and periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, which will negatively affect digestion and well-being. Oral diseases can also contribute to heart disease and pneumonia. Many of these diseases can be prevented or the risk reduced by good oral hygiene [1,2].
Purpose. To establish the level of people's awareness of the importance of good oral hygiene and a healthy diet in preserving dental health.
Research methods. an anonymous survey was conducted among 28 people aged 18 to 21 years, 24 of whom live in Ukraine (mainly in the rural areas of the central part of the country) and 4 - abroad.
Discussion of the results.
According to the results of oral care survey the majority of respondents (93%) brush their teeth daily. But 39% of them do not follow the recommendations of dentists to brush their teeth at least twice a day. More than 57% do not pay attention to the content of fluoride in their toothpaste and don’t understand how to choose the right toothpaste [3]. Also, less than half (46.4%) adhere to the recommended duration of brushing (within 2 minutes). Only 13% use dental floss and other means for interdental cleaning, tnat can lead to gingivitis. Only 7% responded positively to the question about the use of oral rinses, which enhance the protection of tooth enamel.
Acidic foods that have low pH levels harm both the teeth in general and the enamel in particular. Sodas, coffee, dry wine and vinegar also may damage the tooth enamel. Nevertheless almost half of the surveyed people regularly consume such products.
Sweets are also a dangerous product for dental health. For example, various energy drinks and sugary carbonated drinks containing phosphoric acid erode enamel and make teeth more brittle. Unfortunately, the majority of the respondents consume sweets regularly and it is unlikely that they will be able to give them up in the future.
Milk and dairy products (cottage cheese, butter) are extremely beneficial for bone and teeth health, as they contain a complex of vitamins and minerals. According to the test results, one third of surveyed consume milk and dairy products daily, while 45% consume it 2-3 times a week. This indicates that consumption of dairy products is a good habit of the Ukrainian population, that restrains the development of oral diseases. Also the majority of respondents (80%) regularly consume such essential products for dental health as meat, seafood, porridges and nuts. Unfortunately, under martial law, not all Ukrainians have the opportunity to follow a full diet.
The survey results show that half of the participants (46.4% or 13 people) don’t have any oral health problems, and 42.9% of the surveyed (12 people) have minor oral health problems such as 2-3 decayed teeth or other problems. These may be the initial stages of disease or less serious problems that can be resolved by timely treatment and oral care. It is recommended to visit a dentist at least twice a year for preventive care [4,5]. This will make it possible to diagnose serious oral health problems, notice emerging anomalies, and receive recommendations for improving dental care [5].
Among the group of respondents only 25% follow this recommendation. 70% visit dental offices once a year, obviously when there is already a need for dental treatment. At the same time, about (90%) of respondents indicated that they understand the importance of oral hygiene. Taking into account that most of them do not follow the rules of oral care, it can be assumed that they do not know exactly how it should be done.
Conclusion. The results of the survey indicate the need for widespread education on oral hygiene and healthy nutrition. Half of the respondents have good oral health, but there are persons with problems that can be solved by timely prevention and care. The formation of oral hygiene habits and a balanced diet with the reduced consumption of sweets are very important for the primary prevention and improvement of the health status of ukrainians. TV programmes with medical content and examples of doctors' practices on the advisability of changing habits, increasing the frequency and duration of brushing teeth and gaps between them, removing plaque, using rinses and therapeutic toothpastes for oral hygiene and treatment can be particularly effective.
References:
1.Заяць Т. І., Жуковська Л. О. Профілактика стоматологічних захворювань: Навч. посіб. –Львів: “Новий Cвіт-2000”, 2020. – 322 с.
2.Профілактика стоматологічних захворювань: підруч. для студ. вищих мед. навч. закл. / Л. Ф. Каськова, Л. І. Амосова, О. О. Карпенко [та ін.]; за ред. проф. Л. Ф. Каськової. — Х.: Факт, 2011. — 392 с.: іл.
3.https://www.dentalhealth.org/healthysmile
4.https://www.duxtondental.co.nz/routine-dental-appointments-check-up-on-oral-cancer
5.https://www.columbiadental.com/the-importance-of-a-dental-hygienist
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