Table 1 Reported and observed toothbrushing behaviour (IV) of preschool children
Variables (n = 92) | Parental/guardian response n (%) | Observation n (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
Age at which parent–child initiated toothbrushing | < 6 months | 9 (9.8) | – |
6 month–1 year | 16 (17.4) | ||
1–2 years | 37 (40.2) | ||
2–3 years | 7 (7.6) | ||
3–4 years | 23 (25) | ||
Toothbrushing frequency | Once a day | 8 (8.7) | – |
Twice a day | 46 (50) | ||
> 2 times a day | 11 (12) | ||
Once in 2–3 days | 10 (10.9) | ||
Rarely | 17 (18.5) | ||
Toothbrush type use | Electric toothbrush | 21 (22.8) | – |
Manual toothbrush | 62 (67.3) | ||
Finger or other object | 9 (9.8) | ||
Frequency of toothbrush change | Once in 15 days | 15 (16.3) | – |
Once in month | 4 (4.3) | ||
Every 2–3 months | 24 (26.1) | ||
Once bristles frayed out | 47 (51.1) | ||
Has not changed yet | 2 (2.2) | ||
Toothpaste amount | Smear | 28 (30.4) | 43 (46.7) |
Pea | 32 (34.8) | 26 (28.3) | |
Half length | 9 (9.8) | 14 (5.2) | |
Full length | 23 (25) | 9 (9.8) | |
Toothbrushing duration | < than 30 s | 13 (14.1) | 18 (19.6) |
30 s–1 min | 37 (40.2) | 13 (14.1) | |
1–2 min | 35 (38.0) | 47 (51.1) | |
> 2 min | 7 (4) | 14 (15.2) | |
Toothpaste type | Fluoridated (F > 1000) | 11 (12) | 28 (30.4) |
Fluoridated (F < 1000) | 74 (80.4) | 46 (50) | |
Non-fluoridated | 7 (7.6) | 18 (19.6) | |
Parental guidance (questionnaire) | Yes, everyday | 40 (43.5) | – |
Yes occasionally | 48 (52.2) | ||
No | 4 (4.3) | ||
Toothbrush sharing with siblings | No | 77 (83.7) | – |
No, because only child | 10 (10.9) | ||
Yes | 4 (4.3) | ||
Visit to dental clinic | Yes, for dental check-up | 32 (34.8) | – |
Yes, for tooth ache | 28 (30.4) | ||
No | 32 (34.8) | ||
Toothbrushing technique | Horizontal | – | 38 (41.3) |
Vertical | 21 (22.3) | ||
Rotatory motion | 15 (16.3) | ||
Other method | 18 (19.6) | ||
Toothbrushing pattern | Systematic | – | 45 (48.9) |
Non-systematic | 47 (51.1) | ||
Toothbrush grip (Child grip) (n = 78) | Oblique | – | 21 (26.9) |
Distal oblique | 27 (34) | ||
Precision | 11 (14.10) | ||
Power | 14 (15.2) | ||
Spoon | 5 (6.4) | ||
Post-brushing mouth rinsing | Do not rinse | – | 5 (5.4) |
Once | 67 (72.8) | ||
Multiple times | 20 (21.7) | ||
Parental guidance during tooth brushing (observation) | 0 | – | 42 (45.7) |
1 | 9 (9.8) | ||
2 | 8 (8.7) | ||
3 | 17 (18.5) | ||
4 | 6 (6.5) | ||
5 | 10 (10.9) | ||