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.