The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship
between oral hygiene level, as judged from the number of non-bleeding
papillae (NBP), and approximal caries development and progression in
14- to 15-year-old Norwegians NBP, according to Gjermo, were registere
d in 165 15-year-old Norwegians. Approximal lesions in the outer half
(D-1) or in the inner half (D-2) of the enamel or in dentin (D-3) and
the total numbers of carious approximal surfaces (D-1+D-2+D-3), filled
approximal surfaces, and sound approximal surfaces were recorded from
bite-wing radiographs from premolars and molars at the age of 14 and
15 years (values expressed as mean +/- SD). The average number of NBP
in the whole group was 4.6+/-4.5. One group with good oral hygiene (NB
P greater than or equal to 5, 8.7+/-3.3, n = 76) and one group with ba
d oral hygiene (NBP < 5, 1.2+/-1.5, n = 89) were established. Carious
approximal surfaces and filled approximal surfaces were significantly
higher in the group with few than in the group with many NBP (6.0+/-5.
9 vs. 1.7 +/-2.8 and 2.6+/-4.3 vs. 0.9+/-1.8, respectively). The numbe
r of lesions at the age of 15 and progression of lesions from 14 to 15
years were also significantly higher in the group with few NBP. It is
concluded than in populations exposed regularly to fluoride, the oral
hygiene level may be an important indicator of a high caries risk.