Biomaterial Database

Use of dental floss by Finnish students. 1984

H Murtomaa, and L Turtola, and I Rytömaa

In order to elucidate dental care behavior related to interdental cleaning, a group of first-year students were invited to a free dental examination. 186 of the students invited (76%) were examined clinically and roentgenologically. The mean DMFS-index of the students was 22.6 (+/- 12.6). They were also asked about their use of dental floss. 35% of the students reported using dental floss, but only 2% reported daily usage. 45% of the students had been taught how to use dental floss, and 83% of these had been taught by dental personnel. Teaching had no effect on the reported frequency of use. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of dental plaque and gingivitis between those who used dental floss and those who did not. The subjects were unable to use dental floss on 1 out of every 3 filled proximal surfaces of the first molars. No correlation could be found between dental caries experience and the reported use of dental floss.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009910	Oral Hygiene	The practice of personal hygiene of the mouth. It includes the maintenance of oral cleanliness, tissue tone, and general preservation of oral health.	Dental Hygiene,Hygiene, Dental,Hygiene, Oral
D010512	Periodontal Index	A numerical rating scale for classifying the periodontal status of a person or population with a single figure which takes into consideration prevalence as well as severity of the condition. It is based upon probe measurement of periodontal pockets and on gingival tissue status.	Bleeding on Probing, Gingival,CPITN,Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs,Gingival Bleeding on Probing,Gingival Index,Gingival Indexes,Periodontal Indexes,Gingival Indices,Index, Gingival,Index, Periodontal,Indexes, Gingival,Indexes, Periodontal,Indices, Gingival,Indices, Periodontal,Periodontal Indices
D003742	Dental Devices, Home Care	Devices used in the home by persons to maintain dental and periodontal health. The devices include toothbrushes, dental flosses, water irrigators, gingival stimulators, etc.	Dental Floss,Floss, Dental,Home Care Dental Devices
D003774	Dental Plaque Index	An index which scores the degree of dental plaque accumulation.	Dental Plaque Indexes,Dental Plaque Indices,Index, Dental Plaque,Indexes, Dental Plaque,Indices, Dental Plaque
D004245	DMF Index	"Decayed, missing and filled teeth," a routinely used statistical concept in dentistry.	Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth,DMF Indexes,DMF Indexe,DMF Indices,Index, DMF,Indexe, DMF,Indexes, DMF,Indices, DMF
D005260	Female		Females
D005387	Finland	A country in northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia. The capital is Helsinki.	Aland Islands,Åland Islands
D005884	Gingival Hemorrhage	The flowing of blood from the marginal gingival area, particularly the sulcus, seen in such conditions as GINGIVITIS, marginal PERIODONTITIS, injury, and ASCORBIC ACID DEFICIENCY.	Hemorrhage, Gingival,Gingival Hemorrhages
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man