Toothbrushing frequency, cleanliness, and smoking habits in young adolescents
Macgregor, I.D.; Balding, J.W.
Clinical Preventive Dentistry 9(1): 18-22
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0163-9633 PMID: 3493106 Document Number: 301963
In 1984 and 1985, a survey of 3727 14-year-old children from 31 secondary schools in England was made to obtain information about toothbrushing frequency, some personal cleanliness practices, and tobacco consumption. Subjects completed a questionnaire, anonymously, in class. Toothbrushing frequency was found to increase significantly with increasing frequencies of bathing, washing the hair, use of deodorant, and washing the hands after visiting the lavatory, in both smokers and nonsmokers (P < 0.001). Smokers showed more frequent grooming behavior than non-smokers (P < 0.001). These findings indicate that toothbrushing is closely associated with personal cleanliness and should be incorporated into advice for personal cleanliness behavior. This approach would be particularly relevant to smokers.