Daily Toothbrushing Frequency and the Association with Parental Report of Dental Pain and Discomfort in Preschool Children

Bruna Letícia Vessoni  Menoncin; Patrícia Kochany  Felipak; Fabian Calixto  Fraiz; Juliana Feltrin de  Souza; José Vitor Nogara Borges  Menezes

Authors

Bruna Letícia Vessoni Menoncin
Patrícia Kochany Felipak
Fabian Calixto Fraiz
Juliana Feltrin de Souza
José Vitor Nogara Borges Menezes

Keywords:

Toothache, Pain Perception, Pediatric Dentistry

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of daily toothbrushing frequency on parental reports of dental pain and discomfort in preschoolers. Material and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted involving 376 children between four and five years of age at public preschools in the city of Campo Magro, Brazil. Parents/guardians answered a socioeconomic questionnaire that contained a single question on the child's daily toothbrushing frequency and the Brazilian version of the Dental Discomfort Questionnaire (DDQ-B). Statistical analysis involved bivariate and multivariate Poisson regression analyses (α=0.05). Results: After the adjustments in the multivariate analysis, the prevalence of dental pain and discomfort was lower among children whose last visit to the dentist was for prevention (PR = 4.42; 95% CI: 1.75–11.14; p=0.002) and those with a higher daily toothbrushing frequency (PR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.12–4.05; p=0.021). Conclusion: A lower toothbrushing frequency is associated with parental reports of dental pain and discomfort in preschoolers. Educational and preventive measures that stimulate an increase in daily toothbrushing frequency can contribute to a better oral health status in preschoolers, consequently, less prevalence of dental pain and discomfort.

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