Cigarette smoking, tooth brushing characteristics, and perceived efficacy in gingivodental health among undergraduates in a Nigerian University

Abstract

This study was conducted among four hundred non-dental undergraduates of University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria to assess the prevalence of cigarette smoking, tooth brushing characteristics, perceived efficacy in oral self-care and preventing gingivodental diseases among them. The result showed that the perceived efficacy in oral self-care and preventing gingivodental diseases were 95.0% and 94.0% among the participants respectively. The prevalence of cigarette smoking and more than  once-daily tooth brushing were 5.0% and 46.2% among the participants respectively. Of the participants, 58.5% brush for .3 minutes, 73.0% use medium texture toothbrush and 83.0% give consideration to the texture while purchasing toothbrush. A total of 62.2% of the respondents have received professional instruction on tooth brushing. The use of chewing stick, toothpick and mouth wash among the respondents were 16.8%, 15.0% and 20.5% respectively. The prevalence of cigarette smoking was significantly associated with perceived efficacy in preventing gingivodental disease, self-reported pattern of brushing and the use of additional  cleaning agent among the participants. In conclusion, the perceived efficacy in oral self-care and preventing gingivodental diseases and, tooth brushing characteristics among undergraduates in Nigeria were good. Overall, the prevalence of cigarette smoking among the respondents was low but it was significantly associated with perceived efficacy in preventing gingivodental disease, self-reported pattern of brushing and the use of additional cleaning agent among the participants.