Tooth-brushing behaviour in 6-12 year olds.
BACKGROUND
A common clinical finding is that many schoolchildren display a nonacceptable oral hygiene.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the tooth-brushing behaviour in children aged 6-12 years.


METHODS
The study used a cross-sectional descriptive design. Children aged 6, 8, 10, and 12 years in an elementary school in a middle class area in Umeå, a city in northern Sweden, were invited and 82 (82%) consented. Visible plaque on buccal surfaces of incisors and canines was recorded from photographs of the participant's teeth before and after brushing using the scores of the Green and Vermillion Oral Hygiene Index. Brushing technique was recorded with a video camera. A questionnaire was used to collect data about oral hygiene habits at home.


RESULTS
The ratio between the sum of plaque scores after and before brushing was statistically significantly higher in the 6-year-old group compared with the 10-year olds, (P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between time spent for brushing and the ratio between the sum of plaque scores after and before brushing (r = -0.31, P < 0.01). The lowest correlation was displayed in the youngest age group (r = 0.07, P > 0.05). Six-year olds spent statistically significantly less time for brushing than older children (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Plaque removal from buccal surfaces from brushing was poor and averaged 19% for 6-year olds and 30% for older children. The results of brushing for children aged 8-12 years could benefit from increasing tooth-brushing time. Children could be given an increasing responsibility from 7 to 8 year of age but parental help is motivated up to 10 years of age.
Sandström
Anna
A
Department of Odontology, Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Cressey
Janet
J
Stecksén-Blicks
Christina
C
D000367:Age Factors; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006267:Health Education, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009911:Oral Hygiene Index; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D023861:Photography, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000379:methods*; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014741:Video Recording
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D004396:Coloring Agents; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides