Characterization of dental habits in adolescents at the Odontobb private clinic in Santo Domingo, Ecuador ; Caracterización de hábitos odontológicos en adolescentes de la clínica privada Odontobb en Santo Domingo, Ecuador

Introduction: Dental habits refer to the practices and behaviors that people engage in to maintain good oral health and prevent dental disease. Objective: The aim of the study was to characterize the dental habits of adolescents at the ODONTOBB private clinic in Santo Domingo, Ecuador. Methods: This was a descriptive, prospective, observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of 60 adolescents. The variable of interest was dental habits, and the characterization variables were age and sex. A survey was applied, which considered the research antecedents on this subject and the criteria of experienced dentists. Results: 43% went to the dentist only once a year, 25% only did so when they felt discomfort, and 7% almost never. Approximately one third of the population had not visited the dentist for 1 year. Twenty-two percent only brushed their teeth once a day; 43% had poor hygiene; 47% consumed foods rich in sugar more than twice a day. Insufficient use of dental ice and mouthwash was evidenced. 13% do not know about periodontal diseases. Conclusions: The dental habits in the adolescents studied were characterized, evidencing not having an adequate hygiene habit and a high rate of consumption of sugary foods. The scientific literature proposes that dental habits are fundamental for good oral health. The authors suggest future studies on dental habits in adolescents, particularly in Ecuador. ; Introducción: Los hábitos odontológicos se refieren a las prácticas y comportamientos que las personas realizan para mantener una buena salud oral y prevenir enfermedades dentales. Objetivo: El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar los hábitos odontológicos en adolescentes de la clínica privada ODONTOBB en Santo Domingo, Ecuador. Métodos: Fue una investigación de nivel descriptivo; de tipo prospectivo, observacional, descriptivo, y transversal. La población de estudio estuvo conformada por 60 adolescentes. La variable de interés fue los hábitos odontológicos y las variables de ...