A longitudinal study of dental health in Swedish children aged 3-5 years.

This paper presents data concerning caries, gingivitis, interdental spacing, occlusion and oral habits obtained in a longitudinal investigation of 177 children at the ages of 3, 4 and 5 years. It was found that between 3 and 5 years of age, deft increased from 2.01 to 4.05 and defs from 2.69 to 5.98. The occlusal surfaces of the primary second molars and the occlusal and distal surfaces of the primary first molars were the ones most often affected. The mean Gingival Index decreased from 3 to 5 years (P less than 0.05) and also the number of children with a score of 2 from 4 to 5 years (P less than 0.05). The sagittal and transversal relationship between the jaws remained unchanged in most of the children, while the vertical relationship varied with changes in sucking habits. Dummy sucking was initially more than three times as common as finger sucking, but decreased markedly with increasing age. The children with the habit of finger sucking tended to keep this habit. Nocturnal grinding of the teeth was reported by the parents of 13 % of the children. Dental treatment was needed by 61 % at the age of 3, by 71 % at the age of 4 and by 68 % at the age of 5, as they had caries and/or gingivitis with a gingival score of 2. Futhermor, there was a need for orthodontic supervision including treatment. Caries prophylactic treatment was necessary in all age groups.