Oral Health Behaviour in Adolescents

Abstract

Background: In adolescence, intense biopsychosocial modifications place adolescents in one of the groups that are most vulnerable for social and health problems. Habits acquired in this period have repercussions on future dimensions, such as diet, self-image, individual health, values, preferences, and psychosocial development. At this stage, times of neglect with health care become commonplace. While behaviors that contribute to oral health maintenance are reduced, the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use becomes alarming and affects the health of these young people The aim of the research was to improve the oro-dental health of primary school children in Arad County and to assess the impact of oral health on their quality of life. Material and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort epidemiological study, conducted in Arad between 2017 and 2019 and included a sample of 832 subjects, middle school students aged 11 to 13 years whose behaviour was analyzed compared to the factors of risk to oro-dental health. Results: It was observed that variations in the frequency of food consumption show statistically significant changes, depending on the sex of the subjects, in the case of consumption of refined fruits and sweets, so that 47.4% girls consume fruit daily compared to only 36.3% boys, and 27% even a few times a day (x²=10,973, DF=4, p=0,014) Discussion: The analysis of socio-behavioral factors showed an above average level of students' knowledge regarding the maintenance of oral health, but the degree of their application in practice is quite low. Thus, an aspect with a strong impact on the oral health of students is the sources of information on maintaining oral health. Conclusions: Adolescents show a significantly increased degree of autonomy, with not exactly correct attitudes towards sanogenic behavior, although they know the data related to the cariogenic effect of certain foods or habits.