title: Impacts of toothbrushing frequency on periodontal findings in a group of elderly Lithuanians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity of the findings of dental plaque, calculus and deepened periodontal pockets in relation to self-reported toothbrushing frequency in a group of elderly Lithuanians. The authors hypothesised that those reporting twice daily toothbrushing exhibit less severe periodontal findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of 94 dentate patients aged 60 or older was conducted at two public dental offices in Lithuania. Half-mouth recordings of dental plaque, calculus and deepened periodontal pockets were expressed as mean values per subject. These indicators described the severity of periodontal findings. A self-administered questionnaire provided information on toothbrushing frequency, age, gender and education. Statistical evaluation included chi-square test, analysis of variance and logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the subjects were plaque-, calculus- or pocket-free. Of all, 26% reported that they brushed their teeth at least twice daily, 36% once daily and 38% less frequently. Women (P = 0.004), younger (P = 0.002) and higher educated respondents (P < 0.001) reported twice daily toothbrushing more frequently than did their counterparts. Twice daily toothbrushing was clearly associated with the least severe conditions regarding dental plaque (P = 0.03) and deepened pockets (P < 0.001), but not calculus (P = 0.39). Logistic regression models revealed higher level of education as the strongest factor odds ratio (OR = 2.7; P = 0.04) explaining the lowest scores of dental plaque. Higher frequency of toothbrushing was the strongest factor (OR = 2.1; P = 0.03) to explain the lowest scores of deepened periodontal pockets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Twice daily toothbrushing contributes to better periodontal health in the elderly subjects and should be encouraged at every dental appointment.
authors: Department of Oral Public Health, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. sonata.vysniauskaite@helsinki.fi
authors: Sonata
authors: S
authors: Vysniauskaite
authors: Miira M
authors: MM
authors: Vehkalahti
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003728:Dental Calculus / Q000145:classification; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000145:classification; D008097:Lithuania; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*