Parental views on fluoride tooth brushing and its impact on oral health: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the current use and knowledge about fluoride toothpaste and children's oral hygiene habits among parents of Saudi children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the parents of children aged 7–12 years who visited the undergraduate pediatric dental clinics at the College of Dentistry in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were interviewed. The interview included questions to assess the parents’ level of fluoride knowledge, the dental appearance of their children, and any general dental health concerns and practices. RESULTS: A total of 463 parents (women 55.5%, men 44.5%) were included. Over half (60.3%) of the participants reported that they were unhappy with the appearance of their child's teeth. Only 11.5% received high fluoride knowledge scores. The additive index for the level of fluoride knowledge was significantly lower among mothers than among fathers. The majority of the parents were not able to correctly report whether the toothpaste their children used contained fluoride. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents were unaware of the benefits of fluoride in preventing dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to enhance parental knowledge regarding high fluoride intake and its harmful consequences on children's health. Both mothers and fathers should have higher levels of awareness regarding oral health promotion to maintain optimal oral health in their children.