Influence of Freeze-Dried Diet on Oral Hygiene Indicators in Strict Isolation Condition of an Analog Space Mission

Barbara Janina Gronwald, Karina Kijak, Karolina Jezierska, Helena Anna Gronwald, Kamil Kosko, Mikołaj Matuszczak, Hanna Barbara Bielawska-Victorini, Wojciech Podraza, Leszek Orzechowski and Danuta Lietz-Kijak
Additional contact information
Barbara Janina Gronwald: Doctoral Study at the Department of Propaedeutics, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland
Karina Kijak: Scientific Student Group STO-MATER-FIZ at the Department of Propaedeutics, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Karolina Jezierska: Department of Medical Physics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-073 Szczecin, Poland
Helena Anna Gronwald: Department of Propaedeutics, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Kamil Kosko: Individual Dental Practice Kamil Kosko, 62-510 Konin, Poland
Mikołaj Matuszczak: Scientific Student Group STO-MATER-FIZ at the Department of Propaedeutics, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Hanna Barbara Bielawska-Victorini: Department of Orthodontics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland
Wojciech Podraza: Department of Medical Physics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-073 Szczecin, Poland
Leszek Orzechowski: LunAres Research Station, 64-930 Piła, Poland
Danuta Lietz-Kijak: Department of Propaedeutics, Physical Diagnostics and Dental Physiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Analog space missions were created to study the human factor in extraordinary conditions that would occur in future space habitats. Isolation has been shown to cause stress and disrupt individuals’ daily routine, which can also affect their oral hygiene and lead to an increased risk of dental caries and gingivitis. The astronauts’ specific freeze-dried diet is associated with “lazy” chewing, potential dehydration and vitamin A deficiency, which may adversely affect their saliva. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the freeze-dried diet on selected oral hygiene indicators in analog astronauts (AA) enduring strict isolation conditions during six consecutive analog space missions at the LunAres Research Station. During the experiment the oral hygiene and gingival inflammation status measurements were conducted on the group of AAs at the beginning and at the end of each mission. Measurements included four oral hygiene indicators: API, sOHI, PI by Silness and Loe and GBI by Ainamo and Bay. Each AA’s individual scores were noted and analyzed. Statistically significant reduction in the amount of plaque and intensity of gingival bleeding was observed over the course of the study, which could indicate positive results of applied oral hygiene procedures despite unfavorable dietary and stressful isolation conditions.

Keywords: analog space mission; freeze-dried diet; isolation; oral hygiene; oral health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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