Oral Health Self-Management Ability and Its Influencing Factors among Adolescents with Fixed Orthodontics in China: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Objective. To understand the oral health self-management ability status and influencing factors among adolescent patients with fixed orthodontics in Nanjing and to provide a reference for formulating targeted intervention measures. Methods. A mixed research method was used. First, the convenience sampling method was used to select adolescent patients with fixed orthodontics admitted to the orthodontic department of a dental hospital in Nanjing from November 2021 to March 2022. The oral health self-management ability questionnaire was used for the investigation; then, 15 children with poor oral health management ability were selected for in-depth interviews. Results. The total score of oral health self-management ability of 290 adolescent children with fixed orthodontics was 45.6-90.8 points, with an average score of 69.63 ± 7.40 of which knowledge, belief, and behavior dimension scores were 72.09 ± 10.47 , 68.50 ± 10.13 , and 67.63 ± 8.67 , respectively, and the environmental score was 69.91 ± 12.50 . Multiple regression analysis showed that sex, age, bracket wearing time, grade, and place of residence were related to the scores of each dimension of self-management. Qualitative research shows that the main reasons for the poor oral health self-management ability of adolescents with fixed orthodontics are the lack of awareness during fixed orthodontics, lack of knowledge channels, low compliance, inability to solve oral problems during treatment, difficulty in adhering to oral care behaviors, and lack of motivation to treat. Conclusion. The oral health self-management ability of adolescent children with fixed orthodontics needs improvement, and a precise health intervention plan should be formulated.

Revisiting Oral Antiseptics, Microorganism Targets and Effectiveness

“…Dental caries and periodontal diseases are ranked amongst the most prevalent non-communicable pathologies worldwide [ 5 , 112 ], both being associated with the presence of biofilm [ 113 ]. Even though the mechanical control of dental biofilm stands as the most common form of oral hygiene [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], factors such as limited access, absence of motivation, use of orthodontic appliances and poor oral hygiene abilities can make this control inefficient [ 13 , 14 , 114 ]. The removal and prevention of the accumulation of microbial plaque may be facilitated by the chemical anti-plaque mouth rinses [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…Even though the mechanical control of dental biofilm stands as the most common form of oral hygiene [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], factors such as limited access, absence of motivation, use of orthodontic appliances and poor oral hygiene abilities can make this control inefficient [ 13 , 14 , 114 ]. The removal and prevention of the accumulation of microbial plaque may be facilitated by the chemical anti-plaque mouth rinses [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. There remains solid evidence corroborating the effectiveness of antiseptic mouth rinse used in addition to mechanical plaque control to decrease or manage plaque and gingivitis [ 22 , 115 ].…”

“…Therefore, mechanical control of dental biofilm through routine oral hygiene is key to pathogen control and disease prevention [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Chemical plaque control with antibacterial mouthwashes can be an alternative to mechanical methods when they are ineffective [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Hence, the use of chemical and mechanical control is recommended synchronously to guarantee good oral hygiene and potentiate a good oral health state [ 7 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

Application effect of behavioral cognition combined with psychological intervention on orthodontic patients: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial

“…[ 3 ] Actually, most patients have insufficient cognition of orthodontics, weak self-care awareness, poor health behavior, and orthodontic treatment cannot reach the expected effect. [ 4 , 5 ] In addition, the cycle of orthodontic treatment is as long as 2 years, and the wearing of fixed orthodontics will bring many problems and troubles to patients’ diet, facial appearance and oral hygiene, and easily lead to adverse psychological changes of patients. [ 6 ] Therefore, it is of vital importance to implement effective nursing intervention on the behavior, cognition and psychology of orthodontic patients.…”