Cynical hostility as a determinant of toothbrushing frequency and oral hygiene.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to investigate whether cynical hostility, self-reported toothbrushing frequency and objectively assessed levels of oral hygiene were associated.


METHODS
The present study sample consisted of 4156 30-64-year-old dentate Finns. The questionnaire and the home interview included information about socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors and behavioural variables, such as toothbrushing frequency, dental attendance, smoking and cynical hostility. The level of oral hygiene was assessed during a clinical oral examination. The chi(2) test and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used.


RESULTS
After controlling for sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors, smoking habits and reported dental attendance, the subjects belonging to the lowest cynical hostility level were found to brush their teeth significantly more often and to have better oral hygiene compared with those belonging the highest cynical hostility level. Toothbrushing frequency was adjusted when oral hygiene was used as the outcome variable. The association of cynical hostility with toothbrushing frequency and the oral hygiene seems to be partly dependent on the level of education.


CONCLUSIONS
Cynical hostility is a psychosocial risk marker for the frequency and quality of toothbrushing and it could be a connecting trait between general health behaviour and oral health behaviour.
Mettovaara
Hanna-Leena
HL
Department of Periodontology and Geriatric Dentistry, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. hanna-leena.mettovaara@oulu.fi
Suominen-Taipale
Anna-Liisa
AL
Uutela
Antti K
AK
Martelin
Tuija P
TP
Knuuttila
Matti L E
ML
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000523:psychology*