The Relationship Between Knowledge and Habit of Brushing Teeth with the

Incidence of Dental Caries in Adolescents in Muntilan

Introduction

Dental caries is one of the most chronic dental disease around the world. Dental caries is an
important public health problem across the world. This disease be affected by oral hygiene, dietary
habits, behaviour factors, sociodemographic, knowledge about oral hygiene and the other factors.
Good oral hygiene is an important primary preventive procedure that can prevent dental caries. The
age of adolescents is the age that can be said to be able to think independently so that from this
study it is hoped that the knowledge of dental caries and good habits to avoid caries can be known.

Gap

There have been very few longitudinal studies of dental caries in adolescents, and little study about
caries risk factor and the relationship between caries and behaviours in this age group.

Theoretical framework

Dental caries is a biofilm-mediated, diet modulated, multifactorial, non-communicable, dynamic

disease resulting in net mineral loss of dental hard tissues [Fejerskov 1997; Pitts et al., 2017]. It is
determined by biological, behavioural like tooth brushing, psychosocial, and environmental factors,
where eating habits are included. Dental caries is tissue damage caused by the presence of acids in
carbohydrates through the intermediary microorganisms present in the saliva (Irma, 2013). Dental
biofilm is a consortium of microorganisms that stick to a tooth surface. The microorganisms are
embedded in an extracellular polymeric matrix (modified from Hall-Stoodley et al. [2004]). According
to WHO adolescent as any person between ages 10 and 19. This age range falls within WHO’s
definition of young people, which refers to individuals between ages 10 and 24. Other report said
that adolescence, the period between ages 12 and 20, is characterized by many physical and social
changes. This life phase is also marked by increased independence from parents, resulting in changes
in behaviour, including those relating to diet and oral hygiene. The development of “independent”
or the phase of transition from children to adults can affect oral health and establish life-long
patterns of behaviour.

Empirical review

The findings suggest that high caries incidence in adolescence is associated with lower maternal
educational level, less frequent tooth brushing, lower 100% juice consumption and being female,
although lower milk and water consumption and lower home water fluoride concentrations. The
study showed a relatively high prevalence of dental caries as well as between the counties could be
influenced by the socioeconomic differences in the country.
Outline of the research methods

Research Design:

This research was conducted online using a qualitative study design aimed to determine Relationship
Between Knowledge and Habit of Brushing Teeth with the Incidence of Dental Caries in Adolescents
in Muntilan, Magelang. This study used an interview survey to collect data caries in adolescents and
its behaviour and knowledge about oral hygiene.

Participants:

This study’s target population was a teenager state in Muntilan, Magelang, Jawa Tengah. A total of
20 teenagers who became respondents, both boys and girls, mostly aged 19-20 years. All
respondents are students who mostly study in the Jogja and solo areas.

Instruments & Procedures:

Data was collected using an online questionnaire considering that there is still a pandemic,
contacting respondents one by one to be interviewed, either in person or through other media such
as telephone, videocall, or zoom by considering the COVID-19 pandemic. Conduct in-person
interviews if there are things that must be done in connection with the research if they have to meet
by following the existing health protocols.

Data Analysis:

The data from questionnaire were analysed quantitatively with interview and collected using
thematic identification so, that the data collected is in accordance with existing conditions.

Questionnaire:

1. How often did you brush your teeth?

2. At what time you brush your teeth?

3. Do you agree we need to keep the oral cavity clean?

4. Do you have cavities?

5. Do you agree that the timing and frequency of brushing your teeth affects the health of the oral
cavity?

6. What do you do to maintain the health of the oral cavity?