Table 3 Associations between different oral health behaviors and oral health literacy
Item | Number (%) | Total score (Mean ± SD) | t/F value | P value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Daily brushing frequency (times) | 1.831 | 0.162 | ||
1 | 23 (7.3) | 34.96 ± 9.007 | ||
2 | 266 (83.9) | 36.52 ± 10.463 | ||
≥ 3 | 28 (8.8) | 40.11 ± 11.930 | ||
Brushing method | 4.178 | 0.006 | ||
Brush horizontally | 36 (11.4) | 35.42 ± 11.284 | ||
Brush vertically | 172 (54.3) | 38.34 ± 10.352 | ||
Brush in a circle | 29 (9.1) | 37.52 ± 10.789 | ||
No fixed method | 80 (25.2) | 33.53 ± 9.842 | ||
Brushing time (minutes) | 9.899 | < 0.001 | ||
≤ 1 | 59 (18.6) | 33.22 ± 9.706 | ||
1–2 | 156 (49.2) | 35.78 ± 9.911 | ||
> 2 | 102 (32.2) | 40.18 ± 11.024 | ||
Flossing | 9.826 | < 0.001 | ||
Never or occasionally | 202 (63.7) | 34.30 ± 10.473 | ||
1 ~ 2 times per week | 56 (17.7) | 38.71 ± 8.470 | ||
≥ 3 times per week | 23 (7.3) | 42.91 ± 10.483 | ||
Once a day | 20 (6.3) | 44.70 ± 9.223 | ||
More than 2 times a day | 16 (5.0) | 41.44 ± 8.548 | ||
Use toothpicks | 0.240 | 0.916 | ||
Never or occasionally | 253 (79.8) | 36.47 ± 10.651 | ||
1–2 times per week | 36 (11.4) | 37.53 ± 11.355 | ||
≥ 3 times per week | 10 (3.2) | 39.00 ± 7.318 | ||
Once a day | 14 (4.4) | 36.86 ± 9.248 | ||
More than 2 times a day | 4 (1.3) | 38.75 ± 9.215 | ||
Rinse mouth after meals daily | 8.487 | < 0.001 | ||
Never or occasionally | 160 (50.5) | 34.41 ± 9.190 | ||
1 time | 45 (14.2) | 35.42 ± 11.387 | ||
2 times | 60 (18.9) | 39.83 ± 12.118 | ||
More than 2 times | 52 (16.4) | 41.37 ± 9.505 | ||
Use of mouthwash | − 3.817 | < 0.001 | ||
No | 291 (91.8) | 36.06 ± 10.308 | ||
Yes | 26 (8.2) | 44.12 ± 10.347 | ||
Use of fluoride toothpaste | 16.098 | < 0.001 | ||
Yes | 142 (44.8) | 39.55 ± 11.038 | ||
No | 69 (21.8) | 37.67 ± 9.297 | ||
Don't know | 106 (33.4) | 32.31 ± 9.117 | ||
Regular oral examination | 7.252 | < 0.001 | ||
No | 164 (51.7) | 32.88 ± 8.937 | ||
Yes | 153 (48.3) | 40.84 ± 10.579 | ||
Regular supragingival scaling | − 4.884 | < 0.001 | ||
No | 195 (61.5) | 34.51 ± 9.627 | ||
Yes | 122 (38.5) | 40.25 ± 10.983 | ||
Frequency of toothbrush replacement | 3.516 | 0.016 | ||
Never | 27 (8.5) | 35.11 ± 9.525 | ||
half a year | 77 (24.3) | 3416 ± 9.158 | ||
2 ~ 3 months | 200 (63.1) | 37.55 ± 11.025 | ||
1 month | 13 (4.1) | 42.46 ± 9.033 | ||
Whether there is tooth decay | 2.789 | 0.063 | ||
Yes | 135 (42.6) | 36.86 ± 10.170 | ||
No | 145 (45.7) | 37.54 ± 11.147 | ||
Don't know | 37 (11.7) | 33.00 ± 8.625 | ||
Bleeding gums when brushing teeth | 2.873 | 0.036 | ||
Never | 78 (24.6) | 37.95 ± 11.941 | ||
Sometimes (1 time/week) | 191 (60.3) | 37.23 ± 10.009 | ||
Often (≥ 3 times/week) | 34 (10.7) | 32.71 ± 9.666 | ||
Don't know or didn't care | 14 (4.4) | 32.71 ± 8.792 | ||
When brushing bleeding or gums are swollen and painful | 6.241 | < 0.001 | ||
Don't need to treat | 139 (43.8) | 34.72 ± 9.993 | ||
Go back to the dentist when you have time | 125 (39.4) | 38.10 ± 10.404 | ||
Seek medical attention immediately | 28 (8.8) | 42.75 ± 12.668 | ||
Take your own medicine or other | 25 (7.9) | 34.16 ± 7.983 | ||
Reasons for going to the dentist | 5.766 | < 0.001 | ||
Never | 35 (11.0) | 34.34 ± 10.759 | ||
Toothache is unbearable and medication does not work | 104 (32.8) | 34.92 ± 9.205 | ||
Tooth pain is still tolerable | 104 (32.8) | 35.89 ± 10.353 | ||
See a dentist when tooth decay is found | 46 (14.6) | 40.63 ± 9.595 | ||
Regular checkup even without discomfort | 28 (8.8) | 43.00 ± 13.311 | ||
Do you take the initiative to learn about oral health | 30.252 | < 0.001 | ||
Never | 34 (10.7) | 32.06 ± 9.205 | ||
Occasionally | 226 (71.3) | 35.20 ± 9.758 | ||
Often | 57 (18.0) | 45.51 ± 9.601 |