Self-reported changes in using fluoride toothpaste among older adults in Sweden: an intervention study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of increasing knowledge about the caries-reducing effects of fluoride (F) toothpaste and to increase the use of F toothpaste among older adults through an intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 63-67-year-olds in Sweden, who 2 years earlier had answered a questionnaire about their knowledge of F toothpaste, toothbrushing and toothpaste habits and who had shown less favourable habits with regard to toothpaste use, were invited to participate. The 20-min intervention, performed at a Public Dental Clinic, was implemented by a dental hygienist (author OJ) and consisted of individual information and instruction on the use of F toothpaste. The questionnaire was repeated 4 months after the intervention and a population in another city in Sweden served as control. RESULTS: In the intervention group, 68 individuals responded and 151 in the control group. Knowledge of the benefits of F toothpaste in the intervention group had improved between the times of the first and second questionnaires, but the same effect was also noted in the control group. After the intervention, a clear improvement concerning the use of F toothpaste was reported: the individuals brushed for a longer time, used more toothpaste and used less water during and after brushing. In the control group, there were no changes of habits between the first and second occasions. CONCLUSION: Individually-based interventions performed by a dental hygienist had a positive effect on changing the way older adults used F toothpaste.

Is the use of fluoride toothpaste optimal? Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour concerning fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushing in different age groups in Sweden.

OBJECTIVES: The most effective method to prevent caries is the regular use of fluoride toothpaste. The aim of this study was to evaluate self-care routines in a population by identifying knowledge, attitudes and behaviour relating to fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushing habits. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 3200 individuals in two municipalities in Sweden. Four age groups representing different life stages were chosen: 15-16, 31-35, 61-65 and 76-80 years of age. The participants were selected from the population register by random selection of birth dates. RESULTS: Totally 2023 (63%) individuals answered the questionnaire. The majority (84-94%) in all age groups brushed their teeth twice a day or more often. Good toothpaste behaviour identified as brushing at least twice a day, using at least 1 cm toothpaste, brushing 2 minutes or longer and using a small amount of water when rinsing was reported by only 10% of the respondents. The factors that increased the odds for having good caries-preventive behaviour were: (i) being female, (ii) being younger than 35 years, (iii) having knowledge about fluoride, (iv) finding use of fluoride toothpaste important and (v) rating own oral health as good. CONCLUSIONS: The population seems to have embraced regular toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste to a large extent. However, regarding techniques for using fluoride toothpaste effectively, there was great potential for improvement, especially among the older respondents.

Fluoride toothpaste and toothbrushing; knowledge, attitudes and behaviour among Swedish adolescents and adults.

The most effective way to administer fluoride is through the regular use of fluoride toothpaste. Adolescents and adults seem to have low awareness of toothbrushing procedures and use of fluoride toothpaste despite frequent dental care. The aim of this study was to describe knowledge, attitudes and behaviour concerning toothbrushing and use of fluoride toothpaste in three age groups in a Swedish population. A qualitative study design was used with the purpose of achieving a deeper understanding of the issue. Data were collected through interviews. A manifest and latent analysis of the text was performed using qualitative content analysis (Grounded theory). The informants were selected strategically to obtain the greatest possible variation in the data. Three age strata representing different stages in life were chosen: 15-16, 30-35 and 60-65 years. Informants were interviewed with support from an interview guide. Open-ended questions were used to focus on the individual's knowledge, attitudes and behaviour concerning toothbrushing and fluoride toothpaste. Five people from each age group were interviewed in the study. The content areas were knowledge, attitudes and behaviour and the latent analysis identified the areas of empowerment, driving force and guidance as categories. Although the informants showed little knowledge about the reasons for and techniques of using fluoride toothpaste effectively, they described toothbrushing as important and the habit as a priority, giving the theme of this study: toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste was a priority, despite the lack of knowledge about how to use toothpaste effectively and its positive effects on oral health. In conclusion the state of knowledge concerning toothbrushing and fluoride toothpaste needs to be improved. In addition, people's desire for a fresh-feeling mouth and to fit in socially must be affirmed and utilized by dental staff in health promotion.