Objective: This study was performed to clarify the relationship between lifestyle factors and the manifestation of gingivitis in primary school children. In addition, the object and contents required to develop an effective education program for the prevention of periodontal diseases were investigated.
Subjects and Methods: Subjects were 499 out of 516 children of the “O" primary school, located in the “I" prefecture. Data were obtained by analyzing the results of regular dental health examination in the fiscal year of 2007 and applying self-report questionnaires related to lifestyle.
Results: Gingivitis was known by only 24.8% of the lower grade children, and about 60% of the children requiring further detailed examination were higher grade boys. Logistic regression analysis of the reciprocal relationship between factors revealed that the odds ratios of gingivitis in children who did not brush their teeth after dinner, did not brush their teeth after school meals, and watched TV while taking a meal were 1.8 (95% CI 1.145―2.731), 1.7 (0.992―2.962), and 2.0 (1.200―3.379) times higher than the odds for children who brushed their teeth after dinner and school meals and did not watch TV during meals, respectively. In addition, the ratio of caries in permanent teeth and the ratio of obesity, as classified by a Rohrer index above 160, were significantly high in children with gingivitis.
Discussion and Conclusion: Compared with caries, periodontal diseases in children have tended to be neglected in the past. However, both gingivitis and caries reflect the lifestyle of children and are correlated with each other. Starting with lower grade children, implementation of specific educational measures such as prohibition of TV-watching during meals and thorough teeth brushing after eating may be effective to prevent gingivitis. Because the number of children with unfavorable habits was elevated and the manifestation of gingivitis was significantly high in boys, it is desirable to implement health guidance with special consideration for boys of the lower grades.
