Stability of Toothbrushing Performance
Author Information
Author(s): Weik Ulrike, Sämann Thorben, Eidenhardt Zdenka, Shankar Subramanian Sadhvi, Wöstmann Bernd, Margraf-Stiksrud Jutta, Deinzer Renate
Primary Institution: Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
Hypothesis
There is a high degree of concordance between two toothbrushing events assessed two weeks apart.
Conclusion
The study found that toothbrushing behavior is stable over time, with participants showing consistent brushing patterns.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants showed a high intra-individual stability in brushing duration and movements.
- Correlation coefficients for brushing parameters ranged from r = 0.72 to r = 0.93.
- Most participants developed specific toothbrushing patterns that were consistent over time.
Takeaway
This study shows that how people brush their teeth doesn't change much over time, which means it's hard to change bad brushing habits.
Methodology
The study involved observing 105 students brushing their teeth at two appointments two weeks apart, analyzing various brushing parameters.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable to other age groups or real-world settings outside the laboratory.
Participant Demographics
University students aged 18–35 years from Giessen, Germany.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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