Oral hygiene habits among adolescents in Finland

The aim of this study was to analyze oral hygiene habits among Finnish adolescents with regard to age, sex, residence, socioeconomic factors, school career and success. A representative sample of 3209 Finnish adolescents, 13-19 years of age, was drawn. The data were collected by mail surveys in February and September 1977. Participation percentages were 88 and 79. The proportions of daily brushers were 89% in girls and 57% in boys. Toothpicks were used sporadically by every second adolescent but daily by 3% only. Dental floss was used sporadically by 10% of the adolescents but daily by 1% only. In this respect girls were more assiduous than boys. Frequency of toothbrushing clearly increased with age. Girls brushed their teeth significantly more often than boys. The influence of socioeconomic factors was consistent in boys but almost nonexistent in girls. Children of white-collar workers reported better oral hygiene habits than children of blue-collar workers and farmers. Urban adolescents reported better habits than rural adolescents. School success correlated positively with toothbrushing frequency in the younger age groups. Dental health education given by a dentist, a teacher, a hygienist or a nurse had poor correlation with the oral hygiene habits of Finnish adolescents. It was concluded that dental health education should be more directed towards boys, especially at ages 13-15. The education should be planned so that the dental health education better reaches youth of rural areas and lower social classes.