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Toothbrushing duration in 60 uninstructed young adults.
Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|June 1, 1985
Summary
Uninstructed adults spent an average of 33 seconds brushing their teeth, using 302 strokes. Brushing patterns varied between different areas of the mouth, with more strokes applied to the lower jaw.
Area of Science:
- Oral hygiene practices
- Dental public health
- Behavioral science in dentistry
Background:
- Understanding toothbrushing habits is crucial for effective oral disease prevention.
- Previous research has examined toothbrushing in schoolchildren, but data on young adults is limited.
- This study investigates the toothbrushing behavior of uninstructed young adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the total brushing time and number of strokes used by uninstructed young adults.
- To analyze the distribution of brushing strokes across different areas of the mouth.
- To compare findings with previous studies on toothbrushing in schoolchildren.
Main Methods:
- Sixty uninstructed adults (agricultural students, aged 18-22) participated.
- Toothbrushing was video-recorded for each participant.
- Brushing time and the number of strokes in 16 oral areas were analyzed from video recordings.
Main Results:
- Mean brushing time was 33.0 seconds (±12.0 SD).
- Mean number of strokes was 302 (±122 SD).
- More strokes were used on the mandibular arch than the maxillary arch, and on labial/buccal surfaces compared to occlusal and lingual surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Young, uninstructed adults exhibit specific patterns in toothbrushing duration and stroke application.
- The distribution of strokes suggests variations in attention or technique across different tooth surfaces.
- Findings provide a baseline for comparison with instructed groups and different age demographics.