Knowledge and Attitudes of Pregnant Women with and without Children about Fluoride and Herbal Toothpastes

Authors : Zeynep Ceren ÇELİK, Çiğdem ELBEK ÇUBUKÇU, Halil ÇELİK, Gül DİNÇ ATA

Pages : 114-121

Doi:10.33808/clinexphealthsci.1059505

View : 13 | Download : 6

Publication Date : 2023-03-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: Objective: Pregnant women may be vulnerable to dental caries due to their inability to fully implement oral hygiene practices. Toothpastes are main component of oral hygiene and the most important tool for the primary prevention of caries. The study aimed to examine the knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women with children insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PC); and without children insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PNC); about fluoride and herbal toothpastes. Methods: A self-administered and validated 20-item questionnaire was completed by a total of 219 pregnant participants, 85 PC and 134 PNC. Statistical analyses were performed using the SciPy v1.2.3. program. Results: Most of the PC insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(57.65%; 69.41%); and PNC insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(72.39%; 47.76%); participants responded with “no idea” when asked about fluoride sources and the optimal amount of fluoride added to tap water by local health authorities insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p= .006);. The majority of the PC insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(62.4%); and the PNC insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(47.0%); had no preference for herbal toothpastes during pregnancy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p= .03);. In addition, 86.6% of the PNC showed low knowledge about the nonfluoride content of herbal toothpastes insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p= .023);. While 51.5% of the PNC responded with “no idea” about a preference for herbal toothpastes for their children, 56.47% of the PC stated that they might not prefer using herbal toothpastes for their children’s routine oral hygiene. Conclusion: The findings show that both PC and PNC participants had little knowledge of toothpastes and their contents. Considering that toothpastes are the most common self-applied oral hygiene tools, knowledge and awareness of fluoride and herbal toothpastes should be raised via antenatal programs.
Keywords : pregnant women, toothpastes, knowledge, fluorides, herbal