Abstract

TABOADA ARANZA, Olga  and  TALAVERA PENA, Ismael. Prevalence of gingivitis in preschool children living on the east side of Mexico City. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2011, vol.68, n.1, pp.21-25. ISSN 1665-1146.

Background. Gingivitis is an inflammatory process that is the precursor to periodontal disease. This process generally begins from 6 years of age. However, there are studies that show a prevalence of 18% to 38% in 3-year-old children. After reviewing the scientific literature, we noticed insufficient research in preschool populations in order to prevent gingivitis. The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and distribution of a population of preschool children. Methods. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was developed in 77 preschool children with an average age of 4.6 years (±0.4). There were 40 males (52%) and 37 females (48%). Results. The prevalence of gingivitis was 39%. The O'Leary buccal hygiene index value was 75.4% (95% CI: 74-77. Seventy five (97.4%) children presented ≥ 20% of their dental surfaces covered with dental plaque. The risk factors analyzed showed that the individual risks are the same in children exposed to this problem or those who are not exposed, although the presence of ≥ 20% of covered surfaces with dental bacterial plaque was clinically significant (odds ratio = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-2.0; p >0.05). Conclusions. Results showed a prevalence of 39% of gingivitis, which was higher than expected. Severity of gingivitis increases with age. These results confirm the necessity of studies among this population in order to limit the consequences of the evolution of periodontal disease.

Keywords : prevalence; gingivitis; preschool children.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · English ( pdf ) | Spanish ( pdf )