Tooth-brushing behaviour in 6-12 year olds

Abstract

Plaque removal from buccal surfaces from brushing was poor and averaged 19% for 6-year olds and 30% for older children. The results of brushing for children aged 8-12 years could benefit from increasing tooth-brushing time. Children could be given an increasing responsibility from 7 to 8 year of age but parental help is motivated up to 10 years of age.

Early childhood caries and dental treatment need in low socio-economic communities in Cape Town, South Africa

“…The use of nursing bottles, sippy cups and sports drink bottles with sip-friendly caps should be discouraged, especially at bedtime. Parents should also assist children to brush their teeth until the age of approximately 10 years as they do not have the necessary dexterity to perform this task adequately before this age (Sandström, Cressey & Stecksén-Blicks 2011). Oral hygiene practices should be implemented at least once a day and especially last thing at night.…”

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (Kap) Regarding Early Childhood Caries among Nurses Working in a Low Socio-Economic Area

“…Just over 50% of them felt that children between the ages of 2 and 6 years were able to brush their teeth on their own (Table 4). They were unaware that children need to be actively assisted with tooth brushing, sometimes up to the age of 10 years, as they do not have the necessary dexterity to perform the task adequately [1,20]. Only 6 participants knew that a child's teeth should be cleaned as soon as they erupt in the mouth.…”

Oral Health in Individuals with Down Syndrome

“…DS children develop to a plateau in their adolescence which attain overall learning abilities equivalent to unaffected children aged 6 to 8 years. Knowing that oral hygiene of 6-year-old are not as good as 8-12 year-old children (Sandström et al, 2011), the anticipated oral hygiene of DS subjects would not be ideal if no special extra attention is given. Moderate to mild mental retarded individuals are on the other hand, mobile, function and perform well and highly motivated in sheltered workshop (Crespi, 1993).…”