Prevalence and Management of Tooth Plaque Among University Students

Abstract

Abstract
Dental plaque is a biofilm of microbes which has a cross-linkage with the host tissues. The study objective was to assess the prevalence and management of dental plaque among university students. An observational study was conducted from July-2018 to September-2018, at different departments of Punjab University and Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 300 students with tooth plaque and age between 18-25 years were included in the study. The results showed that tooth plaque was more prevalent between 24-25 years of age. A significant association was found between the following: 'importance of oral hygiene' and gender( p=0.025) and economic status (p=0.001), 'yellowing of teeth' and age (p=0.001) and economic status (p=0.001), 'inherent characteristics' and economic status (p=0.01), 'brushing daily' and age (p=0.015) and economic status (p=0.003), 'type of toothpaste used' with gender (p=0.001) & economic status (p=0.016) and finally between 'visits to dentist' and age (p=0.03) & economic status (p=0.005). Tooth plaque was more prevalent in people with low economic status.