Trends of Toothbrushing Frequency among Finnish Adolescents in 1977-2007

Objective: This study aims to analyze the trends of toothbrushing frequency of Finnish adolescents over three decades, from 1977 to 2007. Methods: The data were collected as part of a nation-wide research program, the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey, which started in 1977. Since then a 12-page questionnaire has been sent every other year. Dental health behavior was studied from the outset. The samples of every year represented 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-year-old adolescents in Finland. The sample size varied between 3,205 and 10,626, making a total of 114,990 participants. The recommended toothbrushing frequency, twice-a-day, was studied. The response rate has varied between 61% and 88%. Results: The proportions of boys brushing as recommended seemed to increase consistently over the study period: (1977–2007) from 13% to 35% (12-year-olds), from 14% to 33 % (14 yrs), from 15% to 28% (16 yrs), and from 24% to 32% (18 yrs). However, among the girls the consistent increase was only seen among the younger age groups: 33%–41% (12 yrs) and 40%–52% (14 yrs). There was an increase from 58% (1977) to 64% (1983) and decrease to 49% (1997) and then increase again to 55% (2007) in 16-year-olds. Similarly an increase was seen in 18-year-olds form 58% (1977) to 66% (1985), and decrease to 49% (2001) and an increase to 57% (2007). Conclusions: The level of compliance with the recommended toothbrushing frequency by the Finnish adolescents is still very low, although some consistent improvement has been observed among the boys and among the younger age-groups of girls. Much more efforts are needed for improvement in this simple, but effective oral hygiene health habit.