Relationship between tobacco use and self-reported oral hygiene habits.
A sample of 34,897 dental patients completed written surveys assessing their tobacco use, frequency of brushing and flossing and perception of oral health problems. Brushing two times per day was reported by 73.5 percent of the patients and flossing one time per day by 35.6 percent. Tobacco users brushed and, particularly, flossed much less frequently than did nonusers. Compliance with daily flossing regimens was particularly low among smokeless tobacco users. Tobacco users also reported more oral health problems.
Andrews
J A
JA
Oregon Research Institute, Eugene 97403-1983, USA.
Severson
H H
HH
Lichtenstein
E
E
Gordon
J S
JS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019226:Oral Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology; D009922:Oregon / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D015995:Prevalence; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data