Evaluation of Tooth Brushing Habits in Preschool Children – A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background Tooth brushing behaviours in children have been significantly associated with their oral health status and susceptibility to dental caries. Adoption of proper and consistent tooth brushing habits early in life will help in establishing the same in their adulthood. Therefore this study aimed to understand and assess the tooth brushing habits of preschool children in Bengaluru city Karnataka.Methodology Primary caregivers of 102 preschool children from selected preschools in Bengaluru were included in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed and the responses were collected. The questionnaire consisted of questions pertaining to demographic information of both the child and the parents and questions regarding the tooth brushing habits of children. All the responses were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.Results It was noted that 60 of the primary caregivers introduced tooth brushing to their children from 6 months to 1 year of age which coincided with the time of eruption of the first tooth in the oral cavity. The majority of the children 61 did not brush their teeth twice daily and this showed a significant association with the frequency of brushing of mothers with 59 of mothers reporting to brushing their teeth once a day. It was reported that 58 of the pre-schoolers brushed their teeth on their own without any adult supervision. It was alarming to see that 70 of the caregivers did not receive any information or education pertaining to the maintenance of oral hygiene in their children.Conclusion The results of this study highlight the urgent need for the establishment of proper oral hygiene habits in young children as this behaviour is amenable to change leading to a positive impact on oral health.