title: The relationship between tooth brushing frequency and personal hygiene habits in teenagers.
abstract: A survey of 904, 14-17 year old school children from secondary schools around Nairobi was done to find out if there was any relationship between toothbrushing frequency and personal hygiene habits. The students completed a questionnaire anonymously in class. Female students brushed their teeth more often than the male students. 62.2% of the females and 50.1% of the males brushed their teeth more than once a day. Of those students who brushed their teeth more than once a day, 52% bathed daily, 22% used perfumes/deodorants daily and 50.1% always washed their hands after visiting the lavatory. No relationship was found between washing of hair and toothbrushing frequency. 69.7% males and 53.2% females gave toothache and tooth decay as the main reasons for mouth care. Those who brushed their teeth more frequently also visited the medical doctor regularly for routine check-ups. These findings indicated that toothbrushing was closely related to personal hygiene habits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Surgery, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Nzioka
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Nyaga
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Wagaiyu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001494:Baths; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000517:prevention & control; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D003836:Deodorants; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing
chemical_list: D003836:Deodorants