Toothbrushing Behaviour and Periodontal Pocketing: An 11-year longitudinal study

Abstract

Aim

To explore the association between toothbrushing behaviour and change in periodontal pocketing among adults.

Methods

We pooled data from 1025 adults, aged 30-89 years, who participated in two national surveys in Finland (Health 2000 and Health 2011, BRIF8901) and reported their toothbrushing frequency. A cumulative measure of regular toothbrushing was created by counting the number of times participants reported brushing twice or more daily across the two surveys (ranging from 0 to 2). The association between toothbrushing behaviour and the number of teeth with periodontal pocket depth (PPD)≥4mm over 11 years was assessed in linear regression models adjusting for confounders.

Results

There was a clear dose-response relationship between toothbrushing frequency (either at baseline or follow-up) and change in number of teeth with PPD≥4mm. There was also evidence of a cumulative effect of regular toothbrushing on change in number of teeth with PPD≥4mm. Participants who reported brushing twice or more a day in both surveys developed 1.99 (95% CI: 1.02 to 2.95) fewer teeth with PPD≥4mm than those who did not report this behaviour in any survey.

Conclusion

This 11-year prospective study showed that toothbrushing behaviour was associated with smaller increments in the number of teeth with periodontal pocketing.

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