Table 1.
Reported and observed toothbrushing behaviour (IV) of preschool children
| Variables (n = 92) | Parental/guardian response n (%) | Observation n (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age at which parent–child initiated toothbrushing | < 6 months | 9 (9.8) | – |
| 6 month–1 year | 16 (17.4) | ||
| 1–2 years | 37 (40.2) | ||
| 2–3 years | 7 (7.6) | ||
| 3–4 years | 23 (25) | ||
| Toothbrushing frequency | Once a day | 8 (8.7) | – |
| Twice a day | 46 (50) | ||
| > 2 times a day | 11 (12) | ||
| Once in 2–3 days | 10 (10.9) | ||
| Rarely | 17 (18.5) | ||
| Toothbrush type use | Electric toothbrush | 21 (22.8) | – |
| Manual toothbrush | 62 (67.3) | ||
| Finger or other object | 9 (9.8) | ||
| Frequency of toothbrush change | Once in 15 days | 15 (16.3) | – |
| Once in month | 4 (4.3) | ||
| Every 2–3 months | 24 (26.1) | ||
| Once bristles frayed out | 47 (51.1) | ||
| Has not changed yet | 2 (2.2) | ||
| Toothpaste amount | Smear | 28 (30.4) | 43 (46.7) |
| Pea | 32 (34.8) | 26 (28.3) | |
| Half length | 9 (9.8) | 14 (5.2) | |
| Full length | 23 (25) | 9 (9.8) | |
| Toothbrushing duration | < than 30 s | 13 (14.1) | 18 (19.6) |
| 30 s–1 min | 37 (40.2) | 13 (14.1) | |
| 1–2 min | 35 (38.0) | 47 (51.1) | |
| > 2 min | 7 (4) | 14 (15.2) | |
| Toothpaste type | Fluoridated (F > 1000) | 11 (12) | 28 (30.4) |
| Fluoridated (F < 1000) | 74 (80.4) | 46 (50) | |
| Non-fluoridated | 7 (7.6) | 18 (19.6) | |
| Parental guidance (questionnaire) | Yes, everyday | 40 (43.5) | – |
| Yes occasionally | 48 (52.2) | ||
| No | 4 (4.3) | ||
| Toothbrush sharing with siblings | No | 77 (83.7) | – |
| No, because only child | 10 (10.9) | ||
| Yes | 4 (4.3) | ||
| Visit to dental clinic | Yes, for dental check-up | 32 (34.8) | – |
| Yes, for tooth ache | 28 (30.4) | ||
| No | 32 (34.8) | ||
| Toothbrushing technique | Horizontal | – | 38 (41.3) |
| Vertical | 21 (22.3) | ||
| Rotatory motion | 15 (16.3) | ||
| Other method | 18 (19.6) | ||
| Toothbrushing pattern | Systematic | – | 45 (48.9) |
| Non-systematic | 47 (51.1) | ||
| Toothbrush grip (Child grip) (n = 78) | Oblique | – | 21 (26.9) |
| Distal oblique | 27 (34) | ||
| Precision | 11 (14.10) | ||
| Power | 14 (15.2) | ||
| Spoon | 5 (6.4) | ||
| Post-brushing mouth rinsing | Do not rinse | – | 5 (5.4) |
| Once | 67 (72.8) | ||
| Multiple times | 20 (21.7) | ||
| Parental guidance during tooth brushing (observation) | 0 | – | 42 (45.7) |
| 1 | 9 (9.8) | ||
| 2 | 8 (8.7) | ||
| 3 | 17 (18.5) | ||
| 4 | 6 (6.5) | ||
| 5 | 10 (10.9) | ||