National Trends in the Prevalence and Severity of the Periodontal Diseases

摘要: In summary, between the 1960 to 1962 national health survey and 1971 1974 survey, mean periodontal index scores remained unchanged. However, classification of adults into broad disease categories showed that those with no evidence increased significantly. This improvement in nation's experience diseases was restricted gingivitis, a concomitant observed oral hygiene status; debris decreased substantially, whereas little change calculus scores. Hypotheses have been raised this paper about decline prevalence gingivitis its possible association variables such as OHI-S scores, socioeconomic status, dental care utilization, cigarette smoking, fluorides, antibiotics. Also noted two surveys slight decrease pockets persons younger than age 35, older there either or increase. During same period, both total loss teeth number missing per person for all ages. A hypothesis is proposed links increase more severe signs an at risk disease. The modest severity advanced may be early sign trend will become accentuated result distinct population coupled retention natural dentition. Thus, it would seem edentulism well contribute circumstances lead greater, not lesser, problems later decades life. Although hold true today's they age, seems likely occurrence adults, least next several decades. third using indexes current measures, needed help clarify trends reported here.