EFFECTIVENESS OF DAILY FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE USE IN REDUCING TOOTH DECAY AND MAINTAINING ORAL HEALTH A POPULATION-BASED STUDY
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Keywords
Dental caries, fluoride toothpaste, oral health, socioeconomic factors, dietary habits, public health, DMFT index, preventive dentistry
Abstract
Background: Dental caries remains a prevalent global health issue, with fluoride toothpaste widely recognized for its caries-preventive properties. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of daily fluoride toothpaste use in reducing tooth decay and maintaining oral health among a diverse population.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 155 participants aged 18 and older, recruited from community centers and dental clinics. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and clinical examinations to assess the prevalence of dental caries using the DMFT index. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were performed to evaluate associations between fluoride toothpaste usage and dental health outcomes.
Results: The findings revealed that 20% of daily fluoride toothpaste users experienced dental caries compared to 50% and 40% among occasional users and non-users, respectively (p < 0.001). The average DMFT score was 1.2, with higher rates of dental caries observed in low-income participants (50%) compared to middle (18.8%) and high-income (28.6%) groups. High sugar intake was associated with a higher prevalence of dental caries (54.5%). Awareness of fluoride benefits was reported by 58.1% of participants, and only 38.7% received formal education on oral hygiene practices.
Conclusion: Daily use of fluoride toothpaste is effective in reducing dental caries prevalence. However, socioeconomic factors and dietary habits significantly influence oral health outcomes. Increasing awareness and education about fluoride's benefits is essential for improving community health, particularly in underserved populations. Targeted public health initiatives should focus on enhancing access to dental care and promoting proper oral hygiene practices.
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Dr Saqib Ghafoor Kayani
Assistant Professor / HOD Oral Medicine, WATIM Dental College Rawalpindi
Dr Rizwan Qureshi
Assistant Professor, Peshawar Dental College, Peshawar
Dr Muhammad Imtiaz
Assistant Professor, Oral and maxillofacial Surgery, FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore
Dr Sikandar Javed Bajwa
Associate Professor, Oral Biology Department, Lahore Medical & Dental College Lahore
Dr Malik Arshman Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Oral Biology, Abbottabad International Dental College, Abbottabad
Dr Muhammad Farooq
Assistant Professor Oral medicine, Avicenna dental college Lahore