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PubMed1996

Hard tissue abrasivity of an automatic interdental plaque remover.

This laboratory study was conducted to assess the safety of a new interdental cleaner, the Braun Oral-B Interclean (ID2), by measuring its abrasivity to dentin and comparing this with the abrasivity of a standard ADA manual toothbrush when used with and without dentifrice. Dentin abrasion was measured by a radioactive technique, using a modified ADA-recommended methodology. Dentin specimens to be used with the ID2 had a 2 mm hole drilled through them to represent the interproximal space, whereas dentin slabs were used in the toothbrush abrasivity tests. All specimens were placed in a controlled neutron flux. The dentin specimens were then immersed either in an abrasive dentifrice (Crest) slurry or a non-abrasive (water) solution, and an 8.5 minute treatment carried out. After testing, samples of treatment slurry or solution were put in a scintillation counter and mean net counts per minute (cpm) per gram of slurry or solution were calculated. With Crest dentifrice, the ID2 removed significantly less (p < or = 0.05) dentin (232 cpm/g) than the ADA reference manual toothbrush (789 cpm/g). Without dentifrice, neither the ID2 nor the manual toothbrush removed significant amounts of dentin, and dentin loss was similar for both devices.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2004

Interventions for replacing missing teeth: maintaining health around dental implants.

BACKGROUND: To maintain healthy tissues around dental implants it is important to institute an effective preventive regimen (supportive therapy). Different maintenance regimens have been suggested, however it is unclear which are the most effective. OBJECTIVES: To test the null hypothesis of no difference between different interventions for maintaining healthy tissues around dental implants. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE and EMBASE. Handsearching included several dental journals. We checked the bibliographies of the identified randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and relevant review articles for studies outside the handsearched journals. We wrote to authors of all identified RCTs, to more than 55 oral implant manufacturers and an internet discussion group to find unpublished or ongoing RCTs. No language restrictions were applied. The last electronic search was conducted on 2 February 2004. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised controlled trials of oral implants comparing agents or interventions for maintaining or recovering healthy tissues around dental implants. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We carried out a quality assessment of the included RCTs in duplicate and contacted the authors for missing information. We independently extracted the data in duplicate. We followed the Cochrane Oral Health Group's statistical guidelines. MAIN RESULTS: Fourteen RCTs were identified. Five of these trials, which reported results from a total of 127 patients, were suitable for inclusion in the review. Two trials evaluated the efficacy of powered and sonic toothbrushes, respectively, when compared to manual toothbrushing and showed no statistically significant differences. One RCT compared Listerine versus placebo mouthwashes showing a reduction of 54% in plaque and 34% in marginal bleeding compared with the placebo. One trial compared self administered subgingival chlorhexidine irrigation versus chlorhexidine mouthwash. The group using chlorhexidine irrigation resulted in statistically significantly lower mean plaque scores and a marginal bleeding index than the group using chlorhexidine mouthwash, however the mouthwash was given at a suboptimal dosage. One study compared etching gel with mechanical debridement showing no statistical differences. Follow ups ranged between 6 weeks and 5 months. It was not possible to make any meta-analysis as each trial assessed different interventions. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: There is only little reliable evidence for which are the most effective interventions for maintaining health around peri-implant tissues. There was no evidence that the use of powered or sonic toothbrushes was superior to manual toothbrushing. There is weak evidence that Listerine mouthwash, used twice a day for 30 seconds, as adjunct to routine oral hygiene is effective in reducing plaque formation and marginal bleeding around implants. There was no evidence that phosphoric etching gel offered any clinical advantage over mechanical debridement. These findings are based on RCTs having short follow-up periods and few subjects. There is not any reliable evidence for the most effective regimens for long term maintenance. More RCTs should be conducted in this area. In particular, there is a definite need for trials powered to find possible differences, using primary outcome measures and with much longer follow up. Such trials should be reported according the CONSORT guidelines (http://www.consort-statement.org/).

Dental Implants↗
PubMed1987

The effects of a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthrinse on plaque, toothstaining and candida in aphthous ulcer patients. A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study.

Despite the known effectiveness of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash in preventing plaque formation, relatively few studies have assessed adjunctive benefit to normal unsupervised oral hygiene measures. Furthermore, there have been few accurate measurements of toothstaining in the presence of normal oral hygiene and little data of effects on oral candidal carriage. This study was a double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over study of a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash used 3 times daily on plaque, staining and candidal carriage in a group of recurrent aphthous ulcer suffers who maintained normal oral hygiene measures. At the end of 2 6-week treatment periods, baseline plaque scores were reduced by active and placebo mouthwashes. Chlorhexidine significantly reduced plaque compared to the placebo. Staining has markedly and significantly increased during chlorhexidine rinsing. Candidal carriage was present in 22.2% of this group and there was no significant effect of chlorhexidine on the mean number of candidal colonies. The distribution of plaque and staining by tooth was plotted and observationally studied. Baseline and placebo treatment plaque distributions indicated the considerable relevance of toothbrushing behaviour for plaque distribution. The effects of toothbrushing on plaque distribution were minimised during the use of chlorhexidine. Staining associated with chlorhexidine showed a distribution again suggesting the influence of toothbrushing. In conclusion, chlorhexidine has significant adjunctive effects on plaque inhibition in the presence of normal unsupervised oral hygiene, but toothbrushing did not prevent toothstaining.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Chlorhexidine mouthrinse in combination with an SLS-containing dentifrice and a dentifrice slurry.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the plaque-inhibitory effect of a 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) rinse when preceded by ordinary toothbrushing with a 1.5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)-containing dentifrice to the effect of the same rinse when used alone, or when preceded by rinsing with an SLS-containing slurry. METHODS: The study was an examiner blinded, randomized three-arm, parallel design. It used a 4-day plaque accumulation model to compare three different oral hygiene regimens, which were performed under supervision. One hundred and twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to one of each group. At the beginning of each test period, they received a thorough dental prophylaxis. The experiment was performed in one randomly assigned (upper or lower) jaw, called the study jaw. The opposite jaw, referred to as the dentifrice jaw, served only to introduce the influence of toothbrushing with a dentifrice on the anti-plaque efficacy of the CHX in the study jaw of the same mouth. At the end of the 4-day test period, plaque and gingival bleeding were scored in the study jaw. In all the regimens, the oral hygiene procedure was finalized by rinsing with a CHX 0.2% solution for 1 min. The study jaw was not brushed during the experiment. Regimen A (positive control) consisted of rinsing with CHX alone. In regimen B, rinsing with CHX was preceded by rinsing with an SLS-containing slurry, while in regimen C rinsing with CHX was preceded by toothbrushing with an SLS-containing dentifrice in the dentifrice jaw. No other oral hygiene measures were allowed. After 4 days of undisturbed plaque accumulation, the amount of plaque and level of gingival health were evaluated. RESULTS: The overall plaque index for regimens A, B and C was 1.17, 1.62, and 1.14, respectively. There was no significant difference in plaque accumulation between the CHX alone regimen (A) and the SLS-dentifrice-CHX regimen (C). Regimen B differed significantly from regimens A and C. The overall bleeding index for regimens A, B and C was 0.24, 0.18, and 0.20, respectively. There was no significant difference between the three regimens. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the anti-plaque efficacy of a 0.2% CHX rinse was not reduced when preceded by everyday toothbrushing with a SLS-containing dentifrice. However, when preceded by rinsing with an SLS-containing slurry, the anti-plaque efficacy of a 0.2% CHX rinse was reduced.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Abrasion resistance of composites polymerized by light-emitting diodes (LED) and halogen light-curing units.

This study compared the abrasion resistance of direct composite resins cured by light-emitting diodes (LED) and halogen light-curing units. Twenty specimens (12 mm in diameter; 1.0 mm thick) of each composite resin [TPH (Dentsply); Definite (Degussa); Charisma (Heraus Kulzer)] were prepared using a polytetrafluoroethylene matrix. Ten specimens per material were cured with the LED source and 10 with the halogen lamp for 40 s. The resin discs were polished, submitted to initial surface roughness reading (Ra initial - microm) in a roughness tester and stored in water at 37 degrees C for 15 days. The specimens were weighed (M1) and submitted to simulated toothbrushing using slurry of water and dentifrice with high abrasiveness. After 100 minutes in the toothbrushing simulator, the specimens were cleaned, submitted to a new surface roughness reading (Ra final - microm) and reweighed (M2). Mass loss was determined as the difference between M1 and M2. Data were recorded and analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Tukey Test at 5% significance level. The composite resin with greater size of inorganic fillers (TPH) showed the lowest mass loss and surface roughness means, indicating a higher resistance to toothbrush abrasion (p<0.05). Definite cured with LED presented the least resistance to toothbrush abrasion, showing the highest means of surface roughness and mass loss (p<0.05). The LED source did not show the same effectiveness as the halogen lamp for polymerizing this specific composite resin. When the composite resins were cured a halogen LCU, no statistically significant difference was observed among the materials (p>0.05). It may be concluded that the type of light-curing unit and the resin composition seemed to interfere with the materials' resistance to abrasion.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1977

The effects of modelling on the contingent praise of mental retardation counsellors.

A multiple-baseline design was used to evaluate the effects of a simple modelling procedure on the contingent praise of five counsellors while they conducted hygiene-training sessions in toothbrushing and hand-and-face washing with severely retarded children. After varying numbers of baseline sessions, each counsellor watched a model who conducted a series of toothbrushing sessions, in which he conspicuously praised correct toothbrushing responses and approximations to correct responses. No modelling occurred during hand-and-face washing sessions. As a result of several exposures to the model's performance, levels of response-contingent praise provided by four of the five counsellors during toothbrushing sessions increased sharply over baseline. The levels of counsellor praise showed parallel increases during hand-and-face washing sessions. A two-week followup showed that the levels of praise obtained through modelling were maintained in the model's absence.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1983

An institutional staff training and self-management program for developing multiple self-care skills in severely/profoundly retarded individuals.

Although considerable attention has been given to the development of institutional staff training and management programs, the generalized effects of such programs on staff and resident behavior have seldom been examined. This study evaluated a program for teaching institutional staff behavioral training and self-management skills during self-care teaching sessions with severely and profoundly retarded residents. Following baseline observations in three self-care situations (toothbrushing, haircombing, handwashing), four direct care staff were sequentially taught to use verbal instruction, physical guidance, and contingent reinforcement in the toothbrushing program. During maintenance, staff were simultaneously taught to record, graph, and evaluate resident and their own behavior in the toothbrushing sessions. Staff were taught use of the training and self-management skills through a sequence of written instructions, videotaped and live modeling, rehearsal, and videotaped feedback. Observer presence and experimenter supervision were gradually decreased during the maintenance condition. Results indicated that during training and maintenance staff: (a) learned to use the training skills appropriately and consistently in the example situation (toothbrushing); (b) applied the skills in the generalization situations (haircombing and handwashing); and thereafter (c) maintained consistent and appropriate use of the skills with infrequent supervision. In addition, important changes in retarded residents' independent self-care responding occurred as staff training skills developed. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for future research and continued development of effective staff training and management programs.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1994

Long-term evaluation of a SnF2 gel for control of gingivitis and decalcification in adolescent orthodontic patients.

The purpose of this paper is to review two recently reported, long-term studies of several chemical methods to control gingivitis and decalcification in in adolescent orthodontic patients. The first study (gingivitis study) was designed to determine whether conventional toothbrushing and twice daily use of a brush-on 0.4 per cent SnF2 gel containing more than 90 per cent available Sn2+ would be more effective for controlling plaque accumulation and gingivitis in the presence of orthodontic appliances than conventional toothbrushing alone. The second study (decalcification study) was designed to compare the effectiveness of controlling decalcification in orthodontic patients with either a 1100 ppm F toothpaste used alone, this same toothpaste and a 0.05 per cent NaF rinse or this toothpaste and a 0.4 per cent SnF2 gel. In the gingivitis study, sixty-five consecutively treated adolescents who were to receive full-mouth fixed orthodontic appliances were assigned to two groups according to age and sex criteria. In the decalcification study an additional 30 subjects (95 total) were similarly assigned to a third group. The first group (control, n = 35) used only toothbrushing with a standard fluoride (1100 ppm F) toothpaste. The second group used toothbrushing with a similar dentifrice supplemented with a 0.4 per cent SnF2 gel (SnF2 gel group, n = 30) used twice daily for the entire 18-month study period. The third group (in the decalcification study only) used a similar toothpaste and 0.05 per cent NaF rinse (NaF rinse group, n = 30). Clinical assessments of plaque accumulation using the Plaque Index, gingival inflammation using the Gingival Index, and coronal staining were completed single-blind before appliances were placed and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after appliances were placed. Decalcification was assessed single blind on all labial surfaces of all erupted teeth before appliances were placed and 3 months after appliances were removed. The results of the gingivitis study indicated that the SnF2 gel group had significantly lower scores for the Plaque Index (p < 0.01) and the Gingival Index (p < 0.001) at all examinations during orthodontic treatment than did the control group. In the SnF2 gel group, one subject developed mild coronal staining and two subjects developed moderate staining. In the decalcification study, when pre-treatment levels of decalcification were subtracted from post-treatment values, significantly lower decalcification scores (p < 0.05) were found for both whole mouth and first molars in the NaF rinse and gel groups as compared with the control group (toothpaste alone).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Success of preventive dentistry in Switzerland].

Water fluoridation was introduced in Basle in 1962. Caries prevalence (DMFS) ten years after fluoridation was, depending on age, 47 percent to 77 percent lower than before fluoridation. The percentage of pupils entering school with caries free deciduous and permanent teeth increased from 6.7 percent in 1961 to 35.3 percent in 1974. Fluoride tablets (0.5-1.0 mg F) distributed at school approximately 200 times a year were highly effective in inhibiting caries. Mean DMFS caries reductions were about 47 percent. Supervised toothbrushing exercises with concentrated fluoride solutions or rinsing tablets 6 times a year combined with repeated information decreased the caries incidence by approximately 50 percent. Caries reductions in anterior teeth were about 80 percent. The supervised toothbrushing was beneficial to the deciduous teeth and the gingiva. Fluoride tablet distribution combined with supervised fluoride toothbrushing yielded higher reductions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Parapharyngeal space foreign body.

We present a case of an unusual toothbrush foreign body in the parapharyngeal space in a 1.5-year-old child. Children are most affected by this kind of trauma. Quicker and exact diagnosis guarantee proper treatment and recovery. The toothbrush had broken and one-third (about 6 cm) of it was left in the child's mouth, causing some swallowing problems. We do not observe any injury of neurovascular structures or inflammation complications. Under general anesthesia, neck exploration was undertaken and the toothbrush removed. External exploration of the neck is the method of choice in the treatment of big parapharyngeal space foreign body as we demonstrated in our case. This method guarantees a good exposure of the neurovascular structures of the neck.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Correlation of microhardness and wear in differently eroded bovine dental enamel.

The purpose of the study was to compare the microhardness data of differently eroded enamel surfaces with the wear caused by toothbrushing. Sixty bovine enamel specimens were polished and prepared for microhardness determination. The polished surfaces were covered with tape except for a 1.3 x 10.0 mm window. Fifteen specimens each were stored in an erosive beverage (Sprite Light) for either 1, 5 or 15 min. Each specimen was immersed in 10 ml of the beverage. The remaining 15 specimens were not eroded. Interferometrical analysis revealed that substance loss after 15 min of erosion was negligibly low (about 75 mm). In all specimens Vickers microhardness determinations were conducted on eroded (= final hardness) and non-eroded (= initial hardness) enamel surfaces. The specimens were subsequently submitted to toothbrushing abrasion using a slurry consisting of 1 g non-fluoridated dentifrice in 5 ml artificial saliva. The total amount of tooth wear due to erosion and subsequent abrasion was profilometrically evaluated. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in hardness and a significant increase in wear with increasing time of storage in the erosive beverage. Overall regression analysis yielded a statistically significant correlation between both initial and final hardness and the amount of tooth wear. The correlation of abrasion and final hardness could be described by a quadratic mathematical function. It is concluded that the susceptibility of eroded enamel to toothbrushing abrasion can be correlated with Vickers microhardness values, thereby suggesting an overproportionate increase of abrasion with decreasing hardness values.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Enhancing the effect of oral hygiene with the use of a foam brush with chlorhexidine.

The maintenance of oral hygiene for hospitalized patients, particularly medically compromised and immune compromised patients, may reduce the risk of oral and systemic infection. Foam brushes have been recommended for use in these populations, however, the use of a foam brush has not been shown to be an acceptable alternative to the use of a toothbrush. In this study, we demonstrate that the use of a foam brush saturated with chlorhexidine was equally effective in measures of plaque levels and gingivitis as was the use of a toothbrush. Therefore if a toothbrush cannot be used in hospitalized patients, an alternative may be the use of chlorhexidine applied with a foam brush.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Oral health knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and skills of children entering school in urban and rural areas in Tanzania.

This study analysed the prevailing oral health-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of children entering school in Tanzania. The assessment was conducted in a random sample of 200 children who were newly enrolled in first grade in urban and rural areas of the Ilala district, by means of interviews, oral hygiene check-ups and practical exercises. Toothbrushing was a prevalent habit among these children, but its efficiency was low. Modern toothbrushes were commonly used and preferred to wooden toothbrushes. Toothpaste was considered essential and commonly used in urban areas but, instead, charcoal or ash were used in rural areas. The children's sugar consumption was low, but they widely valued sugary snacks. They had low awareness of gum disease and tooth decay, and poor knowledge about the causes and prevention of these diseases. These findings indicate gaps in the children's oral health ideas and practices acquired from home. The ongoing school oral health education is a crucial opportunity for the required improvements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Changing mouth care practice in intensive care: implications of the clinical setting context.

The purpose of the study was to identify the prerequisites for achieving research-based mouth care practice in a district general hospital intensive care unit. An action research approach was adopted and a convenience sample of 10 qualified nurses was studied. Initial identification of current mouth care practice was achieved by observation and interview of these nurses. Following this an in-service teaching and support programme was introduced, after which the identification of any change in practice was made by re-interviewing the same nurses and observing for any change in the availability and use of suitable toothbrushes. Data analysis consisted of comparing information from the before teaching and after teaching observation schedules, and performing content analysis on the before and after teaching interview data. The results indicated that the use of toothbrushes had increased as had the knowledge of oral hygiene after the teaching programme. Factors which were identified as facilitating a change in practice included eliciting the perceptions of those experiencing change so that information and support could be tailored to meet the nurses' needs as they perceived them, the importance of context relevant information and practical instruction, the influence of role models and the availability of suitable brushes. Inhibiting factors included misconceptions about the risk to patient safety associated with toothbrushing.

Clinical Nursing Research↗
PubMed2002

Salivary microbiota levels in relation to periodontal status, experience of caries and miswak use in Sudanese adults.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the salivary levels of 25 oral bacteria in relation to periodontal status and experience of caries, and to compare the levels of these bacteria between habitual miswak and toothbrush users in adult Sudanese subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 56 individuals with age range 19-53 years (mean 35.2 years) and included 30 miswak and 26 toothbrush users. The periodontal status and presence of dental caries were assessed clinically. Whole saliva was collected from all subjects, and the levels of 25 selected bacterial species in saliva were assessed by the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method using whole genomic DNA probes. RESULTS: A high percentage of the subjects had detectable levels (> or = 105 bacterial cells) of several bacterial species in saliva. Between 12% and 16% of the subjects showed high (> or = 106 cells) salivary levels of the periodontitis-associated bacteria A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. melaninogenica, P. intermedia, C. rectus and E. corrodens, whereas only two (3.6%) and four (7.1%) subjects had high levels of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, respectively. There were no significant differences in the levels of all or most bacterial species by age group, gender or periodontal status. Presence of > or = 105 L. acidophilus bacterial cells in saliva was associated with high caries scores (p = 0.02). There were significantly higher levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. melaninogenica, C. rectus, P. micros, V. parvula, S. mutans, S. anginosus, A. israelii, C. sputigena, and C. gingivalis, and significantly lower levels of P. intermedia, F. nucleatum, S. sputigena, E. corrodens, L. acidophilus, S. sanguis, S. salivarius, S. oralis, and S. mitis in the miswak than in the toothbrush group. CONCLUSIONS: : The findings suggest that miswak may have a selective inhibitory effect on the level of certain bacteria in saliva, particularly several oral streptococci species. This is the first report that the checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization method can be useful for assessing the levels of a wide range of bacterial taxa in saliva.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effectiveness of an electrically active brush in the removal of overnight plaque and treatment of gingivitis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of an electrically active toothbrush on established plaque and gingivitis in a 7-month clinical trial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this study, 66 volunteers (non-dental University students) were selected on the basis of having moderate gingival inflammation. At baseline, plaque (Quigley & Hein), bleeding upon marginal probing and the Modified Gingival index were assessed on the vestibular, mesio-vestibular, disto-vestibular and lingual surfaces at four sites per tooth. Subjects were randomly divided among two groups; one group brushed with a control brush (Butler GUM 309) while the other used the electrically active test brush. After 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 4 months and 7 months the clinical indices were again recorded. At each assessment the participants received a new brush head for the electrically active brush (test group) or a new manual control toothbrush (control group). RESULTS: All baseline indices appeared to be well balanced. A mean Quigley & Hein plaque score of 1.98 and 2.13 was found in the control and test group, respectively. Little change was observed from baseline to 7 months. The mean bleeding upon marginal probing score at baseline was 0.62 for the control group and 0.59 for the test group. Little to no improvement was observed for the manual brush, whereas an increase in bleeding was observed in the test group in the course of this study. The mean percent reduction in plaque after 1 min of brushing varied throughout the study between 36% and 46%. No difference between the brushes was observed at any time point during the 7-month test period. CONCLUSION: No beneficial effect could be shown for the 'electrically active design feature' compared to a regular manual toothbrush control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Fluoride ingestion from toothpaste by young children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reported and observed brushing habits of young children and their ingestion of fluoride from toothpaste. DESIGN: In 1997, a random sample of 50 children, aged 30 months, from three districts in the North West region of England, were visited at home. METHODS: The reported and observed toothbrushing behaviour was determined and the weight of toothpaste applied to the toothbrush was measured. The amount of fluoride retained in the mouth after brushing with either a 400 ppm F or 1,450 ppm F toothpaste was determined. RESULTS: All parents claimed that their children's teeth were being brushed with a fluoride toothpaste at least once daily. The mean amount of toothpaste applied on the brush was 0.36 g of which 0.27 g (72%) was retained in the mouth. The mean amount of fluoride ingested per brushing was 0.42 mg when using the 1,450 ppm F toothpaste and 0.10 mg when using the 400 ppm F toothpaste. Although most parents applied a small amount of toothpaste a small minority applied a large amount. If using the 400 ppm F toothpaste twice daily no children of average weight would have exceeded ingestion of 0.05 mgF/kg body weight whereas 14 average weight children would have exceeded this value if using the 1450 ppm F toothpaste. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential that parents of children aged less than 7 years apply a small (pea-sized) amount of fluoride toothpaste on the toothbrush and discourage swallowing.

Child↗
PubMed2002

Dental erosion in a group of British 14-year-old, school children. Part III: Influence of oral hygiene practises.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were firstly to describe the dental history and oral hygiene practises in a cluster random sample of 14-year-old children in Birmingham, UK. The second aim was to determine whether the oral hygiene practises are associated with dental erosion. METHOD: A total of 418, 14-year-old schoolchildren from a cluster random sample in Birmingham, UK were assessed for dental erosion (209 males and 209 females). Data on the dental history and oral hygiene practises were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire supplemented by a structured interview. The data were analysed using SPSS with Mann-Whitney U analyses and odds ratios. RESULTS: 74% of the teenagers claimed to attend the dentist on a six-monthly basis; 60% brushed their teeth twice a day ie before breakfast and last thing at night, 25% once a day, 12% three times or more a day and 3% less than once a day. It was a so found that 28% of the children brushed their teeth after meals; 92% of the children used a manual toothbrush and 56% of them replaced their toothbrush every three-months. The most common technique used by the children was a circular brushing movement; 44% of them used a mouthwash and 40% used other interdental cleaning. Girls brushed their teeth more frequently than boys. Associations were found between dental erosion and brushing teeth last thing at night, after meals, techniques of brushing teeth, and type of toothbrush and frequency of brushing. It was concluded that reported oral hygiene practises in teenage schoolchildren in Birmingham, UK complied with generally recommended guidelines. However, there was an association between dental erosion and some of these oral hygiene practises. Advice concerning the impact of some oral hygiene procedures needs to be given to those who are susceptible to dental erosion.

Adolescent↗