Toothpaste usage of the middle-aged and elderly people in Tibet

doi:10.15956/j.cnki.chin.j.conserv.dent.2017.04.009

Abstract：AIM:To investigate the toothpaste usage of the middle——aged and elderly people in Tibet.METHODS: 81 middle-aged people (aged 32~45 years) and 155 elderly people (aged 55~75 years) from Lhasa City and Nagqu prefecture of Tibet completed a questionnaire on toothpaste use,tooth sensitivity and gum bleeding.RESULTS:The toothpaste users of middle-aged and elderly people were 100% and 88.81% respectively(P<0.05),the user ratio in people with high-income was higher than in those with low-income.Most people (73.08%) purchased toothpaste without paying attention to its brands and special function.The occurrence of tooth sensitivity of the subjects was as high as 73.08%,but the users of anti-sensitivity toothpaste was only 17.91%,and the effective rate in releasing tooth sensitivity reached 91.77%.The occurrence of gum bleeding of the investigated people was 67.86%,however the users of toothpaste to relieve gum bleeding was only 14.47%,and middle-aged people showed a higher rate of anti-gum bleeding toothpaste usage than elderly people(P<0.05).The overall effective rate of the gum bleeding relieve toothpaste was 86.36%.CONCLUSION:The rate of toothpaste usage in Tibet is high.The occurrence of tooth sensitivity and gum bleeding was high.Application of functional toothpastes can decrease tooth sensitivity and gum bleeding.