The average of dental plaque was 2.54 (SD 0.66). The 44.8% of children cleaned their teeth daily, of which 18.5% brushed only once in the mornings, 4.6% did it only before sleeping, 23.1% after meals and 53.9% after meals and always before sleeping. The 28.3% cleaned their teeth sometimes, and the average was 2.7 times per week (SD 1.5); the 26.9% never cleaned their teeth. The 76.7% of children between 0-11 months aged did not perform any type of hygiene. The 87.3% had a bad oral hygiene condition, 10.6% had a regular and 2.1% had good oral hygiene. The 25% of mothers whose babies don´t have teeth, performed some type of hygiene with gauze or cloth. All children (100%) between 0-11 months did not use toothpaste. The use of toothpaste by children was: 80% of children between 12-23 months and the 100% after 24 months. The 80% of all children used the same toothpaste that the rest of the family uses (1500 ppm F). The 54.7% applied the toothpaste on one third of the brush, 30.5% on half and 14.7% use the whole length of the brush. The frequency of brushing increased with the age-groups (p<0.05). The use of toothpaste begins very early and is generalized after 2 years of age. It is important to note that children are using the same tube of toothpaste as the rest of the family and the prevailing fluoride concentration is 1500 ppm, This is considered a high concentration of fluoride for young children that we have to evaluate in terms of risk and benefits.
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