Toothbrushing efficiency in smokers and non‐smokers

Abstract

The present study was conducted to determine whether smokers had more plaque than nonsmokers, and whether higher plaque scores subsequently found in smokers could be explained by differences in toothbrushing time, efficiency and frequncy. Plaque was scored from photographs, before and after toothbrushing, in 64 smokers and 64 nonsmokers, aged 20-40 yr, matched for age and sex. In both sexes smokers had more plaque. Male smokers brushed for a shorter time, and had more plaque after toothbrushing, than male nonsmokers. A similar, although nonsignificant trend was found in females. There was no association between tobacco consumption and frequency of toothbrushing. The poorer oral cleanliness found in smokers before and after toothbrushing may have been explained by their shorter toothbrushing time.