Key Points
-
The aims of this study were, first to describe the dental history and oral hygiene practices in a cluster random sample of 14-year-old children in Birmingham UK. Secondly, to determine whether the oral hygiene practices are related to dental erosion.
-
Data on the dental history and oral hygiene practices were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire supplemented by a structured interview to 418 children (209 male, 209 female).
-
Oral hygiene practices in teenage school children in Birmingham, UK complied with generally recommended guidelines.
-
There was a relationship between dental erosion and some of these oral hygiene practices.
-
Advice concerning the impact of some oral hygiene procedures needs to be given to those who are susceptible to dental erosion.
Abstract
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 also 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.
Conclusion 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.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Al-Dlaigan YH, Shaw L, Smith A Dental erosion in a group of British 14-year-old schoolchildren. Part I. Prevalence and influence of differing socioeconomic backgrounds. Brit Dent J 2001; 190: 145–149.
Al-Dlaigan YH, Shaw L, Smith A Dental erosion in a group of British 14-year-old schoolchildren. Part II. Influence of dietary intake. Brit Dent J 2001; 190: 258–261.
O'Brien M Children's dental health in the UK 1993. Office of population censuses and surveys. HMSO, London 1994.
Milosevic A, Brodie DA, Slade PD Dental erosion, oral hygiene and nutrition in eating disorders. Int J Eating Disord 1997; 21: 195–199.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Milosevic, A. Dental erosion and toothbrushing habits of school children. Br Dent J 192, 514 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4801415
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4801415
