Is the use of fluoride toothpaste optimal? Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour concerning fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushing in different age groups in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
The most effective method to prevent caries is the regular use of fluoride toothpaste. The aim of this study was to evaluate self-care routines in a population by identifying knowledge, attitudes and behaviour relating to fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushing habits.


METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to 3200 individuals in two municipalities in Sweden. Four age groups representing different life stages were chosen: 15-16, 31-35, 61-65 and 76-80 years of age. The participants were selected from the population register by random selection of birth dates.


RESULTS
Totally 2023 (63%) individuals answered the questionnaire. The majority (84-94%) in all age groups brushed their teeth twice a day or more often. Good toothpaste behaviour identified as brushing at least twice a day, using at least 1 cm toothpaste, brushing 2 minutes or longer and using a small amount of water when rinsing was reported by only 10% of the respondents. The factors that increased the odds for having good caries-preventive behaviour were: (i) being female, (ii) being younger than 35 years, (iii) having knowledge about fluoride, (iv) finding use of fluoride toothpaste important and (v) rating own oral health as good.


CONCLUSIONS
The population seems to have embraced regular toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste to a large extent. However, regarding techniques for using fluoride toothpaste effectively, there was great potential for improvement, especially among the older respondents.
Public Dental Health, Västra Götaland Region, Gothenburg, Sweden. olga.jensen@gu.se
Olga
O
Jensen
Pia
P
Gabre
Ulla M
UM
Sköld
Dowen
D
Birkhed
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014100:Toothpastes; D055815:Young Adult
D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides