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Published on: December 31, 2017
Behavior and toothbrushing of young Israeli adolescents
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hebrew University, Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children
|October 26, 1999
Summary
Adolescents who brushed incisors separately had less plaque. Girls and older teens were more likely to brush incisors separately and more frequently, indicating better oral hygiene practices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Oral Hygiene Research
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Effective toothbrushing is crucial for preventing dental caries and gingivitis in adolescents.
- Assessing toothbrushing behavior in pediatric dental clinics provides insights into oral hygiene practices.
- The maxillary anterior region is a common site for plaque accumulation if not adequately cleaned.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the toothbrushing behavior of Israeli adolescents in a pediatric dental setting.
- To correlate toothbrushing techniques with plaque levels in the maxillary anterior region.
- To identify demographic factors associated with specific brushing habits.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 123 adolescents (mean age 12.45) attending a pediatric dental clinic participated.
- Plaque accumulation was quantified on the labial surfaces of maxillary central incisors.
- Brushing habits, including frequency and technique (simultaneous vs. separate incisor brushing), were recorded.
Main Results:
- 87 patients had 4 mm or more of plaque on maxillary central incisors.
- Significantly less plaque was observed in patients who brushed maxillary and mandibular incisors separately.
- Separate incisor brushing was more common in 13–17-year-olds and girls, who also brushed more frequently and longer.
Conclusions:
- Brushing maxillary and mandibular incisors separately is associated with reduced plaque levels in adolescents.
- Adolescent girls and older teenagers exhibit brushing behaviors potentially linked to improved oral hygiene.
- Targeted oral hygiene education focusing on brushing techniques may benefit adolescent patient populations.
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