Examination of influence of adolescent lifestyle on oral hygiene

OBJECTIVES: In the "biopsychosocial model" propounded by Engel, psychological, biological, and social factors are considered to be interrelated contributors to the causes of illnesses. In this study, we investigated the relationship of oral health in Japanese juveniles with psychological, biological, and social factors. METHODS: The subjects were 227 junior high school students who belonged to a relatively small junior high school in A city, Hiroshima prefecture, Japan. The investigation period was from October 2010 to May 2011. The status of oral health was determined from the results of the caries risk test and periodontal examinations performed using saliva samples. In addition, subjective oral symptoms were determined using questionnaires. Thereafter, the interrelationships among psychological, biological, and individual social (mainly status in the family) factors and preventive methods against oral diseases were discussed. RESULTS: A large number of students were identified to have a high caries risk, and 20% of the students with periodontitis were in need of medical treatment. Oral health status was not influenced equally by the biological, psychological, and social factors. The results suggest that individual social factors influence biological changes through a psychological factor interaction. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that oral disease prevention in juveniles requires an active positive influence of individual social factors, that is, relationships with family members and other individuals, such as medical and educational professionals and individuals involved in juvenile oral health improvement programs.