STUDY OF ODONTAL LESIONS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH FOOD DIET IN CHILDREN BETWEEN 7 AND 16 YEARS FROM DOLJ COUNTY, CRAIOVA

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the level of odontal lesions to permanent and temporary teeth in a group of school-aged children and to identify the determining factors of odontal lesions in relation to children’s diet. Material and method. The study group included 200 children, 78 girls (representing 39% of the entire study group) and 122 boys (representing 61%), aged between 7 and 16 years old, with a mean age of 12.3 ± 3 years. The majority of participants were from urban areas (190 children, representing 95%), while the remaining 10 children (5%) were from rural areas. The data were statistically processed, and the results were considered significant, and important results for this study were centralized. Results. A total of 614 teeth with lesions were identified, 560 being permanent teeth and 54 being temporary teeth. For permanent teeth: 171 (30.54%) in the first quadrant (majority 1.6 and 1.7), 120 (21.43%) in the second quadrant (majority 2.6 and 2.7), 125 (22.32%) in the fourth quadrant (majority 4.7 and 4.6) and 144 (25.71%) in the third quadrant (majority 3.6 and 3.7). For temporary teeth: 14 (25.93%) in the first quadrant (5.5 and 5.4), 10 (18.52%) in the second quadrant (6.5 and 6.4), 16 (29.63%) in the fourth quadrant (8.5 and 8.4), 14 (25.93%) in the third quadrant (mostly 7.5). Conclusions. Dental caries was present for most children included in the study group. Statistically significant associations were found with the consumption of acidic drinks, pre-meal sweets, juices, and energy drinks. The number of teeth with class I caries increases with age.

Keywords

• odontal lesions
• diet
• school children
• prevention