ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Prevalence of Dental Caries in 3-year-old Children Treated at Dental Clinic in Tokyo Metropolitan Area
Changes Over 40 Years
2019 Volume 57 Issue 1 Pages 80-86
Details
2019 Volume 57 Issue 1 Pages 80-86
To determine changes in the prevalence of dental caries and tooth surfaces because of frequent developments aimed at promoting the prevention of deciduous tooth caries, 3-year-old first-visit patients to a dental clinic in the Tokyo metropolitan area were surveyed regarding dental caries prevalence approximately every 10 years, from the 1970s to 2010s.
1.The prevalence of dental caries and mean number of decayed teeth per child tended to decrease throughout the study period, with the decrease from the 1990s to 2000s particularly marked.
2.When divided by tooth surface, caries prevalence for the occlusal surface of the lower second primary molar or distal surface of the lower first primary molar was highest in the period from 1970 to 1990. In contrast, in the 2000 and 2010 surveys, caries prevalence for the mesial surface of the upper deciduous central incisor was higher as compared to the occlusal / proximal surface of the lower primary molars, indicating that the region with most frequent development of dental caries changed from the occlusal surface of the lower second primary molar to the mesial surface of the upper deciduous central incisor after 2000.
3.Caries prevalence for the lower deciduous incisor was lower than that for other tooth types from the 1970s to 2000. No caries were observed in that location after 2000.
4.The reduction of dental caries from the 1990s and after 2000 may have been due to introduction of medical check-ups from a young age sponsored by local government agencies as well as an in crease in regular topical application of fluoride to tooth surfaces.
5.Our results indicated that the region with most frequent development of dental caries in 3-year-old children was the mesial surface of the upper deciduous central incisor. To prevent caries in this re gion, self-care corresponding to the individual oral health condition, such as use of dental floss,from an early age and regular professional care at a clinic are important factors.
