How do routines of daily activities and flexibility of daily activities affect tooth-cleaning behavior?

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate the level of routines and flexibility of people's daily activity and to identify how tooth cleaning fits into these activities; and (2) to evaluate the impact of different levels of routines and flexibility in daily living on pattern (frequency of tooth cleaning), structure (range of items used in tooth cleaning), performance (relative effectiveness of tooth cleaning) and the outcome of performance (gingival bleeding on probing) in tooth cleaning. METHODS: A convenience sample of 471 Brazilians aged 24 to 44 years was selected from factories, offices, banks, shops, and hospitals. Behavioral, socioeconomic, and clinical data were collected through structured interviews. Dental plaque and gingival bleeding were assessed by clinical examination. Data were analyzed by means of logistic regression. RESULTS: A highly significant relationship was observed between routines of daily activities and tooth-cleaning pattern (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.34, 3.92) after adjusting for age, sex, marital status, and socioeconomic status. No significant associations were observed between routines of daily activities and gingival bleeding. A significant association was observed between tooth-cleaning frequency (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.49), performance (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.77, 4.14), outcome (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.31, 3.18), and flexibility of daily activities. Those who had more flexibility of daily activities had lower gingival bleeding scores. CONCLUSION: People who have a less routinized and more flexible day have higher tooth-cleaning frequency than those who have a less flexible and more routinized day. In this study, those with a more flexible day also cleaned their teeth more effectively than those who had a less flexible day, and had reduced gingival bleeding.