Oral Habits and Sugar-free Gum Consumption in Aboriginal Population

Objective: As a part of caries prevention program using xylitol chewing gum (XCG), a baseline survey determined dietary and dental health habits in 8-14 years Mapuche children in Chile. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed among 49 children about their children's dietary habits . The instrument included oral hygiene practices, consumption of chewing gum and cariogenics unsuitable products such as soft-drinks, and sweets. The data was analyzed with chi-squared and we considered significant if p<0,05.

Results: Responses revealed that 79% had daily tooth brushing habits and 59% always used tooth paste, and those frequencies were significative (p<0.001). 93% never or rarely used mouth rinse.59% had at least once per-day consumption of soft drinks and 32% ate sweets at least once per day. 75% of the respondents rarely or never chewed gum. From the 24% that used chewing gum at least once a day; 12% of them preferred sugar-free gum. 61% had no clear opinion and 24% desagree that chewing sugar free gum was an important additional measurement for dental health.

CONCLUSION: The study revealed a great need for both general dietary and dental health information in this aboriginal Mapuche studied group. Daily consumption of sugar-free gums is not common and much effort seems necessary to intervene with XCG into this population