Association Between Toothbrushing Habits and Self-Rated Oral Health: Re-Consideration of the 3-3-3 Toothbrushing Campaign

Objectives: This study investigates the association between toothbrushing frequency and self-rated oral health to evaluate the effectiveness of the 3-3-3 toothbrushing campaign.

Methods: Employing a cross-sectional study design, we analysed responses from 13,199 adults using structured questionnaires. The dependent variable was self-rated oral health. The independent variables were toothbrushing habits. We compared both groups; control group: twice a day and case group: three times a day. Predisposing, enabling and need factors were adjusted as confounders based on the Anderson behaviour model.

Results: Our findings reveal no significant correlation between toothbrushing frequency (twice vs. three times daily) and self-perceived oral health status. These results suggest re-evaluating the 3-3-3 campaign's recommendations. Further research is necessary to identify factors that more directly influence self-rated oral health.

Conclusion: Our research found that increasing toothbrushing from twice to three times daily does not significantly enhance oral health, as evidenced by an odds ratio of 0.97 and a negligible Cohen's d value. We recommend public health campaigns emphasise toothbrushing quality over frequency to improve oral health outcomes.