Self-reported oral hygiene practices among adults in Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the present level of oral hygiene practices in the Danish adult population aged 16 or above, in particular to analyse how self-care practices in terms of oral hygiene habits and cleaning of dentures are affected by socio-economic factors, dental status, actual dental visiting habits, and the experience of oral health care during school years.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 5802 persons, randomly sampled amongst the Danish population aged 16 years or above. Data were collected by means of personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires. The response rate was 66%.


RESULTS
Toothbrushing twice-a-day was reported by 68% of the dentates while 32% brushed their teeth once-a-day or less frequent. Daily use of toothpicks was reported by 28% while daily use of dental floss was reported by 11%. Oral hygiene habits were more frequent amongst women. Toothbrushing twice-a-day was related to regular dental visits, dental care during school years, and a high level of education. Daily use of toothpicks was more common among females and older persons. Regular dental visits, having 20 or more teeth in situ, and regular dental service through school years were predictors for daily use of toothpicks. Amongst denture wearers, one-third cleaned their dentures twice-a-day. Frequency of denture cleaning was significantly associated with gender, age, number of teeth left, and educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
Intensive population-directed strategies for oral health education should be considered in order to further improve the oral hygiene practices of the entire population.
Christensen
Lisa Bøge
LB
University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department for Community Dentistry, Copenhagen, Denmark. lbc@odont.ku.dk
Petersen
Poul Erik
PE
Krustrup
Ulla
U
Kjøller
Mette
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D003729:Dental Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003820:Denture Cleansers; D003778:Dentures; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D003820:Denture Cleansers