Tooth brushing habits in uninstructed adults—frequency, technique, duration and force

Uninstructed adults (n = 103; mean age 31 ± 6 years; 61 female, 42 male) with habitual manual tooth brushing were given a self-administered questionnaire about the frequency of brushing and a computer system recorded their brushing technique, duration and force.

The majority (79.6%) of participants brushed twice daily.

The mean brushing duration was 96.6 ± 36.0 s

The mean brushing force was 2.3 ± 0.7 N (max. 4.1 N), and no significant differences were found for quadrants.

Most subjects (73.8%) brushed with circling, 8.7% with horizontal/scrubbing, 13.6% with horizontal/circling and 3.9% with vertical/sweeping movements.

Modified Bass technique was not observed.

When appropriate brushing habits were defined as brushing at least twice daily for 120 s with a brushing force of less than 3 N and with circling or vertical sweeping movements, only 25.2% of the participants fulfilled all criteria, emphasising the ongoing need for oral hygiene education.