Analysis of the results of an interactive survey on the most common dental complaints and awareness of the rules of oral hygiene care in patients with generalized periodontitis in the background of atherosclerosis

Abstract

Introduction. This article presents the results of a survey on the most common dental complaints and awareness of oral hygiene rules in patients with generalised periodontitis with atherosclerosis. Because periodontitis and atherosclerosis are common diseases and are closely related, there is a high incidence of complications and deaths due to vascular atherosclerosis. However, periodontal disease can be prevented and effectively treated, which plays an important role in maintaining public health and determines the relevance of our study. Objective. To identify the most common dental complaints and to assess the level of awareness of oral cavity care rules in patients with generalised periodontitis in the setting of atherosclerosis using an interactive survey. Materials and methods. The dental examination and interactive survey of patients were conducted on the basis of the Department of Therapeutic Dentistry, Periodontology and Dentistry FPGE Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University. In order to find out the leading dental complaints and awareness of the rules for oral care, we conducted a survey of 285 patients with generalized periodontitis against the background of atherosclerosis (main group) and 152 patients with generalized periodontitis without somatic diseases (comparison group). All data were entered into a specially developed questionnaire protocol. Results and discussions. As a result of the study it was found that in the main group the most common complaints were: bleeding gums during brushing – 91,23 % of respondents, hyperesthesia – 69,83 % of respondents, burning and itching in the gum area – 65,26% of patients, aesthetic defect – 34,04 % of people, tooth mobility – 32,63 %, dry mouth – 16.49 % of patients. Bad breath was noted in 19,33 % of the main group. The analysis of the answers to the questionnaire showed that the vast majority of the main group visited a dentist in case of acute toothache. Among oral hygiene products, toothbrushes and toothpaste were preferred by the respondents, dental floss was used by only 10,18 % of the respondents, and irrigators were used by 57 patients (20,0 %), all of whom had third-degree GP. The majority of patients reported horizontal movements as their main brushing technique. Regular oral care was performed by 20,00±2,37 % of the main group, p<0,01. Conclusion. Thus, patients with generalised periodontitis due to atherosclerosis most frequently complained of bleeding gums (91,23 %), hyperesthesia of the teeth (69,83 %), burning and itching of the gums (65,26 %), aesthetic defect and tooth mobility (34,04 % and 32,63 %). This cohort of patients was more likely to neglect the rules of oral hygiene (42,46±2,93 %) and had a low motivation for hygiene measures, which could be explained by the patients' increased attention to somatic diseases, poor health during the use of medications prescribed for the treatment of atherosclerosis and frequent hospitalisations.