Abstract
Background: Dental caries, also referred to as tooth decay, is still a major worldwide public health issue, particularly for young people. Oral hygiene habits and dietary habits are two variables that affect the occurrence of dental caries. To effectively promote oral health in juvenile populations and design preventative interventions, it is important to comprehend these aspects.
Objective: This study’s goal was to assess the Subjective Oral Health Outcome (SOHO-5) scores in order to determine how food and oral hygiene practices affect dental caries.
Methodology: Participants were 436 children and their parents who fit the inclusion criteria by going to the OPD of Peshawar Dental Hospital in Peshawar from February  2023 to February 2024. In addition to in-person interviews, data gathering involves parents filling out questionnaires on their diet, eating habits, and dental hygiene. Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was also measured using the SOHO-5 questionnaire. Using the DMFT index, intraoral exams were performed to evaluate dental condition. Regression analysis was used to find factors influencing the DMFT score, and chi-square tests were used to investigate relationships between dietary practices and the incidence of dental caries. Prior to participation, parents’ verbal assent was sought along with ethical clearance.
Results: The research sample consisted of 61.73% girls (n = 269) and 88.53% normal birth weight boys (n = 386). The degree of paternal education varies; 49.08% (n=214) had no formal education. In terms of eating patterns, there was a strong correlation (p < 0.001) between the incidence of dental caries and excessive sugar intake. Regression analysis showed that regular brushing frequency and use of additional oral hygiene products were related with reduced DMFT scores, but age, the presence of plaque, and eating behaviors positively affected DMFT scores. Participants’ satisfaction with oral hygiene practices was found to be reasonably good, as shown by the SOHO-5 oral health indicators, which had mean values ranging from 62.43 to 67.92. These results provide light on the variables affecting children’s oral health in the area.
Conclusion: This research highlights the importance of nutrition and oral hygiene in preventing dental caries in children in Peshawar, Pakistan. It also shows that brushing irregularly and consuming a lot of sugar are linked to an increased risk of dental caries, underscoring the need for complete oral health treatments.
Keywords: Dental caries, DMFT index, oral hygiene, dietary patterns, pediatric population, Peshawar, Pakistan.