Abstract

Background: The number of recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillar hyperplasia requiring tonsillectomies, annually is huge. Poor oral hygiene has been linked with the occurrence of these tonsillar diseases. 

Objective: To determine the association between poor oral hygiene and tonsillitis and/or tonsillar hyperplasia.

Methodology: This was a study of association between oral hygiene and tonsillitis and/or tonsillar enlargement determined by correlating the Oral hygiene index scores (OHIS) and Decay Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) of  subjects with complaint of sore throat with development of tonsillitis or tonsillar hyperplasia. A corresponding number of subjects with no symptoms of sore throat were used as control.

Results:  A total of 80 subjects with sore throat were recruited into the study, comprising 49(61.3%) females and 31(38.7%) males with age ranging from 16 to 32 years. The control group comprised 45(56.3%) females and 35(43.7%) males with age ranging from 16 to 48 years.. OHIS of the test group was poorer than that of the control. Erythema (redness) of the tonsil was significantly correlated with OHIS in the test group but not in the control.

Conclusion: Poor oral hygiene seems to have an association with tonsillar infection and so the, otolaryngologists managing tonsillar infection should consider inter-disciplinary approach in the management of tonsillar diseases.