The Correlation between Sugar-Containing Food Consumption Type and Toothbrushing Frequency in Adults

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the general characteristics of those in their twenties and thirties, determine the association between the type and frequency of sugar-containing food consumption and toothbrushing frequency, identify the factors possibly affecting toothbrushing frequency, and suggest the need for a customized oral health program. Methods:The raw data from the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII-1) were used to make a sample of 1,141 respondents aged 20 to 39, with the exception of missing data. Frequency analysis was performed for variation in the general characteristics, sugar-containing food consumption, and toothbrushing frequency, and descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to estimate the mean and standard deviation.Results: With all of the general characteristics, health behavior, and sugar-containing food consumption included, the analysis identified education, alcohol intake, and smoking as factors affecting toothbrushing frequency ≥2. Conclusion:The results of the analysis of toothbrushing frequency ≥2 by the frequency of sugar-containing food consumption have confirmed that the less consumption of fruit drinks and beverage with lactic acid bacteria, the higher frequency of toothbrushing. It is necessary to investigate and analyze these relevant factors and develop oral health promotion programs and make a plan for oral disease prevention projects with the objective of managing oral health and nutrition efficiently, taking the characteristics of each target into consideration.