Frecuencia de cepillado y uso de pasta dental con flúor en niños de 0 a 3 años de edad en la parroquia Sagrario de la ciudad de Cuenca 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Dental health during early childhood is essential for the well-being of children. Brushing and fluoride toothpaste prevent caries and oral problems. Objective: To determine the brushing frequency and use of fluoride toothpaste among children from 0 to 3 years of age in the parish of Sagrario in 2023. Methodology: Quantitative, descriptive, field, and cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 159 children aged 0-3 years. A survey technique was applied using a form validated by experts and elaborated in Google Forms. Data analysis was conducted with the statistical program SPSS v27. Descriptive analysis was carried out using frequencies and percentages; the association of variables was analyzed using the chi-square statistic with a significance level of <0.05. Results: Forty-one-point seven percent of children aged 0-3 years brushed twice a day; 43.6% used fluoride toothpaste; the frequency of brushing varied according to age, and there was a direct and significant association between the number of daily brushing and age (p<0.001). Children with representatives with primary, third, and fourth-level education used fluoride concentrations of 1000-1100 ppm, and parents with secondary school education used fluoride-free toothpaste. The highest proportion of children aged 1-3 years used an amount of 1 grain of pea. Conclusions: As children age, the brushing frequency increases, and higher fluoride concentrations are used.