Aim: The aim of the present study is an epidemiological study of risk factors and the prevalence of periodontal disease in children aged 10-14 years. Materials and methods: The subject of the study were 457 children. All were clinically examined, and the data were recorded on a specially designed card. Each child was assessed for risk periodontal profile in 4 levels, which includes: assessment of oral hygiene habits; registration of dental status, reporting of carious lesions and obturations on surfaces dangerous for periodontal health (proximal, cervical); the presence of orthodontic anomalies and other risk factors; assessment of the plaque index of Silness-Loe (PLSL); assessment of gingival index according to Loe and Silness (GILS) Results: Carious lesions at risk for gingival inflammation surfaces are registered in 59% of children, at risk for periodontal health fillings in 32% and orthodontic anomalies in 37%. The studied children showed relatively good oral hygiene (PLSL-0.43 ± 0.28), which improved with age, with the largest amount of plaque observed on the proximal and vestibular surfaces. Over 88% of children have mild gingival inflammation (GILS-0.56 ± 0.42), mainly affecting the front teeth in both jaws. Conclusions: Gingival inflammation in 10-14 year old children covers more than half of the studied children, with mild forms of inflammation predominating with a relatively low oral hygiene index. 2/3 of registered caries and 1/3 of the fillings have a localization which presents a risk for periodontal health. Orthodontic anomalies are the next most serious risk factor for plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.

Introduction: Children's adolescence is characterized by dynamically changing indicators of periodontal and oral health, related mainly to the eruption of the permanent dentition and stabilization of the periodontal space. This age period is also characterized by an increased incidence of gingival diseases, with the dental biofilm being the main risk factor for the inflammatory process. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between gingival status, oral hygiene habits and knowledge on topics related to oral health in children aged 11-13. Material and methods: The subject of the study was 106 children aged 11-13 years. All children overwent a clinical periodontal examination and periodontal risk assessment at 4 levels. An electronic periodontal probe PA ON (Orangedental) with specially designed software was used to assess periodontal and oral hygiene status. The study included a survey method for assessing children's knowledge on topics related to oral health with periodontal focus. The survey consists of 38 questions divided into eight topics. Results: All the children aged 11-13 years had an initial form of gingival inflammation, against the background of plaque accumulation affecting more than 69% of tooth surfaces, unstable and irregular oral hygiene habits, as well as insufficient knowledge of oral/periodontal health. Through appropriate preventive programs, this age is best suited to create consciously motivated behavior for proper oral hygiene and oral health.

The subgingival microbiome is a critical component of the oral microbiota and plays a central role in pediatric periodontology. This study investigated differences in periodontopathogen profiles in children with gingival inflammation compared to healthy controls using real-time PCR, with a focus on the microbial complexes defined by Socransky. A total of 73 children (ages 10–14) underwent comprehensive periodontal assessment, including assessments of general health status, the O’Leary hygiene index (HI), gingival condition, and the papillary bleeding index (PBI). Subgingival plaque samples were analyzed using real-time PCR to identify key bacterial species associated with gingival health and disease. Highly pathogenic periodontopathogens such as Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Eubacterium nodatum were absent in healthy subjects. In contrast, Tannerella forsythia was significantly more frequently detected in children with gingival inflammation (p < 0.05). The most abundant species in the inflammation group were Prevotella intermedia and Capnocytophaga gingivalis. Children with gingival inflammation exhibit a distinct subgingival microbiome profile characterized by an increased presence of specific periodontopathogens, including a higher prevalence of red complex species as defined by Socransky. However, the cross-sectional nature of this study limits the ability to establish causal relationships.