Toothbrushing frequency and physical recreation in 14-year-old schoolchildren

Abstract

A SURVEY of 4075 14-year-old children from second ary schools throughout England was made to obtain information about toothbrushing frequency and par ticipation in physical recreation. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class. In both sexes, toothbrushing frequency was found to rise sig nificantly as participation in vigorous and sedentary sports outside of school hours increased. There was a similar association between toothbrushing fre quency and vigorous team games in school in males, but not in females. These results support previous findings that toothbrushing behaviour is associated with personal and social behaviours, and emphasises the need to consider dental health behaviour in relation to the whole function of the individual.