Journal article

Publication year: 2009

Pages: 203-208

Journal: Clinical Oral Investigations

Volume number: 13

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 1432-6981

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-008-0230-8

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Professional recommendations for individual oral hygiene mostly include tooth brushing at least twice daily for 2-3 min with gentle force using the Bass technique or modifications of it. This study evaluated whether habitual tooth brushing actually meets these standards. Uninstructed adults (n = 103; mean age 31+/-6 years; 61 female, 42 male) with habitual manual tooth brushing were given a self-administered questionnaire about the frequency of brushing and a computer system recorded their brushing technique, duration and force. The majority (79.6%) of participants brushed twice daily. The mean brushing duration was 96.6+/-36.0 s, the mean brushing force was 2.3+/-0.7 N (max. 4.1 N), and no significant differences were found for quadrants. Most subjects (73.8%) brushed with circling, 8.7% with horizontal/scrubbing, 13.6% with horizontal/circling and 3.9% with vertical/sweeping movements. Modified Bass technique was not observed. When appropriate brushing habits were defined as brushing at least twice daily for 120 s with a brushing force of less than 3 N and with circling or vertical sweeping movements, only 25.2% of the participants fulfilled all criteria, emphasising the ongoing need for oral hygiene education.

Harvard Citation style: Ganss, C., Schlueter, N., Preiss, S. and Klimek, J. (2009) Tooth brushing habits in uninstructed adults-frequency, technique, duration and force, Clinical Oral Investigations, 13(2), pp. 203-208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-008-0230-8

APA Citation style: Ganss, C., Schlueter, N., Preiss, S., & Klimek, J. (2009). Tooth brushing habits in uninstructed adults-frequency, technique, duration and force. Clinical Oral Investigations. 13(2), 203-208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-008-0230-8