Effects of Manual Toothbrushing on Gingival Recession in an Adult Population Sample in South of Chile

Abstract

The aim was to study the association between the presence of gingival recession (GR) and manual brushing features an adult population in southern Chile. A study on a probabilistic stratified random sample of 530 teeth with RG in 105 patients (75 women and 30 men), distributed in 3 age groups (18-34, 35-50 and 51-64 years), who used manual brushing the last 10 years were performed. Three examiners (k=0.87) evaluated the brush type, frequency and method of brushing. We recorded the GR depth and width as rated Miller's classification, sulcus or pocket depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), tooth malposition and the presence or absence of gingival bleeding on probing. The GR were 28.68% class I, 35.47% class II, 29.24% Class III and 6.61% Class IV. First and second mandibular premolar showed the highest GR frequency. Combined brushing method and medium toothbrush type were the most used. Significant differences between GR and brushing frequency (p = 0.001); 64.1% of teeth relate GR to brushing frequency of 3 or more times daily. CAL of 3-4 mm was associated with GR (P=0.000), affecting 60.3% of teeth. In addition, gingival bleeding and tooth malposition were associated with a higher frequency of GR. Brushing frequency of 3 or more times daily is associated with the presence of RG.