TYPE OF TOOTHBRUSH AND BRUSHING TECHNIQUES USED AMONGST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KUMASI

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tooth brushing is an essential part of an oral hygiene routine. This routine typically includes the use of
a toothbrush and toothpaste. The current day toothbrush consists of a head of tightly clustered bristles mounted on a
handle, which facilitates the cleansing of both accessible and hard-to-reach areas in the mouth. An appropriate tooth
brushing habit is defined as brushing at least twice daily for two minutes with a brushing force of less than three
Newtons (3N) and circling or sweeping vertical movements using a soft to a medium bristle toothbrush.

OBJECTIVE: To determine tooth brushing techniques and the types of toothbrushes used among Senior High School
Students in Kumasi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional quantitative survey conducted amongst students in second-cycle
institutions in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area. The Armed Forces Senior High Technical School was selected for the study
through simple random selection, and 122 respondents were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS: Medium, hard, and soft-bristled toothbrushes were used by 62 (50.8%), 43(35.2%), and 16(13.0%) of the
respondents, respectively. The Combination, Vertical, and Horizontal brushing methods were preferred by 44(36.1%),
while the least adopted methods were the Circular (10, 8.2%). And Random (10, 8.2%).

DISCUSSION: The combination of vertical and horizontal brushing was highest, while the recommended modified Bass
technique was practiced by only 15 (12.3%) respondents.

CONCLUSION: The study has exposed a need for a further drive on awareness initiatives that focus on tooth brushing
techniques among senior high school students