Toothpaste Utilization Profiles among Preschool Children.
BACKGROUND
Oral healthcare for pre-school children is given due priority, as their oral health will determine the oral health status of future generations. Generally, the type, frequency and quantity of toothpaste used by children are based purely on parental preferences.


METHODS
A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers of preschool children by using a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Sixty two percent (n=154) mothers started brushing their children's teeth more than one year after eruption of their teeth. A majority of the mothers used adult toothpaste to brush their children's teeth and supervised their children while brushing. Fiftytwo percent mothers were aware about presence of fluoride in tooth paste but its clinical significance. Half the mothers applied full length of tooth paste to their children's brushes and most mothers made their children brush their teeth twice daily.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this study, it appears that there is still much lack of awareness on the proper guidelines on the selection and usage of toothpastes in children. Dental professionals should use this knowledge to help and motivate parents to properly supervise and assist their children's brushing, with the goal of reducing the potential risk of fluorosis.
Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sree Siddhartha Dental College and Hospital, SAHE University , Tumkur, India .
Darshana
D
Bennadi
Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Bangalore Institute of dental sciences , Bangalore, India .
Nandita
N
Kshetrimayum
Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, SRM Dental College and Hospital , Chennai, India .
S
S
Sibyl
Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, JSS Dental College and Hospital , Mysore, India .
C V K
CV
Reddy
Fluoride; Mothers; Preschool children; Toothpaste