Is caries equally distributed in adults? A population-based cross-sectional study in Norway – the TOHNN-study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence and distribution of dental caries in an adult population and identify factors associated with being caries free. Material and methods: Data were collected from a randomized population sample in Northern Norway (N ¼ 1932; 988 women; mean age 47.0 years, SD 15.3). The study included a structured questionnaire and a clinical examination. The sum of enamel and dentine caries, DS 1-5 , formed the main outcome measures for caries prevalence. Results: Mean DMFT was 15.1 (95% CI 14.8, 15.4), mean DFT was 12.0 (CI 11.7,12.2), and mean DT was 1.1 (CI 1.0, 1.2). The mean value for dentine caries (DS 3-5 ) was 0.8 (CI 0.7, 0.9), and mean DS 1-5 was 3.8 (CI 3.6, 4.1). Mean DS 1-5 was highest in the youngest age group (mean 6.9, 95% CI 6.3, 7.6) and in rural areas (mean 5.0, CI 4.4, 5.6). The most caries-prone 20% in the youngest age group had 52% of the total number of carious lesions compared with 80% in the two oldest age groups. Tooth brushing twice daily (p ¼ .005), drinking sugar containing soft drink (p ¼.029), and attending dental services every year (p < .001), were associated with being caries free. Conclusion: Dental caries is still a common condition, particularly in the youngest age group. Living in a rural area, low socioeconomic status, less frequent tooth cleaning and sugar containing soft drinks were associated with a higher prevalence of dental caries. The different caries distribution among adults calls for different preventive strategies at both population and individual levels. ARTICLE HISTORY

Association of Enamel Caries Lesions with Oral Hygiene and DMFT among Adults

“…In a study on Italian adults, on average 60% had caries lesions, and initial lesions were less common than dentin lesions [Carta et al, 2015]. The prevalence of dentin caries lesions in this study population (40%) is in line with previous studies on Finnish adults and in Nordic countries [Oscarson et al, 2017]. Previous studies have also reported the polarization of dentin caries among Finnish and Scandinavian populations Tanner et al, 2013;Stecksén-Blicks et al, 2014;Oscarson et al, 2017].…”

“…The prevalence of dentin caries lesions in this study population (40%) is in line with previous studies on Finnish adults and in Nordic countries [Oscarson et al, 2017]. Previous studies have also reported the polarization of dentin caries among Finnish and Scandinavian populations Tanner et al, 2013;Stecksén-Blicks et al, 2014;Oscarson et al, 2017]. The polarization is highly alarming, since it demonstrates that a small group of middle-aged people carry most of the current dentin caries burden.…”

“…Consequently, polarization of enamel caries lesions was non-existent. Oscarson et al [2017] reported that of Norwegian 35-to 49-year-old adults, 40% had dentin caries lesions and 70% had caries lesions of any stage. In a study on Italian adults, on average 60% had caries lesions, and initial lesions were less common than dentin lesions [Carta et al, 2015].…”

Antimicrobial efficacy of alternative compounds for use in oral care toward biofilms from caries‐associated bacteria in vitro

“…Accordingly, untreated dental caries is a major economic burden for individuals and public health services (Kassebaum et al., , ). It is well known that there is a great disparity with regard to distribution of dental caries, mostly by social standing and associated differences in diet, use of fluorides and social empowerment (Edelstein, ; Meyer et al., ; Oscarson, Espelid, & Jönsson, ; Selwitz, Ismail, & Pitts, ). In a recent cross‐sectional study in Norway, Oscarson et al.…”

“…() found that living in a rural area, low socioeconomic status, less frequent tooth cleaning and sugar containing soft drinks were associated with a higher prevalence of dental caries. Therefore, the development of more selective prevention concepts for these populations with strong caries incidence remains a major goal in contemporary preventive dentistry (Edelstein, ; Meyer et al., ; Oscarson et al., ). In these high‐risk patients, supportive antimicrobial measures may be useful in daily oral hygiene practice in addition to mechanical removal of biofilms and use of anticariogenic agents, for example, fluoride (ten Cate, ).…”