Dental Status and Oral Health Behaviors of Selected 45–74-Year-Old Men from Northeastern Poland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the dental status and oral health behaviors of selected 45–74-year-old men from northeastern Poland. A total of 419 men were included. A questionnaire on demographic data, socioeconomic status and oral health behaviors was conducted. Dental caries experience (DMFT index), oral hygiene (AP index) and a number of edentulous subjects were evaluated clinically. More than half of the respondents (53.2%) brushed their teeth once a day. Nearly half of respondents (45.6%) reported for check-up visits more rarely than once in two years. Active nicotinism affected 26.7% of males. The prevalence of decay, the mean DMFT, the mean API and the prevalence of edentulism were, respectively, 100%, 21.4 ± 5.5, 77% and 10.3%. Increased DMFT values and MT were significantly correlated with older age (p < 0.001). Subjects of high educational status showed significantly lower values of DMFT and MT (p < 0.001). An increase in per capita family income was accompanied by a significant decrease in the API (p = 0.024), and an increase in DMFT (p = 0.031). This study demonstrated low health awareness and unsatisfactory dental status among the examined males. Dental and oral hygiene status were associated with sociodemographic and behavioral determinants. The poor oral health condition of the study population indicates the need to intensify pro-health education among seniors about oral care.

Effects of Photobiomodulation Using Low-Level Laser Therapy on Alveolar Bone Repair

“…Loss of alveolar bone can occur for several reasons, such as resorption due to periodontal diseases which can be caused by excessive smoking, with consequent gingival recession and loss of alveolar bone due to vasoconstriction of periodontal tissues [1,2]. In addition, alveolar losses occur due to oral surgeries involving tumors in the maxilla and mandible [3] and due to factors linked to advancing age, which leads to an imbalance Photonics 2023, 10, 734 2 of 23 between the processes of osteogenesis and bone resorption [4,5]. The alveolar bone tissue is also influenced by hormonal imbalances, such as estrogenic decline, which leads to increased activity of osteoclasts [6] or inflammatory processes, which interfere with bone homeostasis and accelerate the reabsorption of bone tissue.…”