Abstract
Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of toothpaste-squeezing methods to the amount of toothpaste used among adults. Methods : The subjects in this study were 227 freshmen in a local college. After the intent of a survey was explained by this researcher, how much dentifrice they used was checked to ensure statistical objectivity, and then a survey was conducted. The collected data were analyzed with a SPSS WIN 13.0 program. Results : The findings of the study were as follows:1. As for connections between the way of squeezing and the amount used, the usual amount used, the amount used by horizontal squeezing and the amount used by pea-sized squeezing were respectively 1.12g, 0.66g and 0.46g. The amount used by horizontal squeezing and pea-sized squeezing was less than the usual amount used by 0.46g(41%) and 0.66g(59%) respectively.2. Gender, residential area, educational experiences and daily mean toothbrushing frequency made no differences to the amount of toothpaste used.3. The students who normally used a larger amount of toothpaste used a greater amount of toothpaste as well when they utilized horizontal squeezing and pea-sized squeezing, and the larger amount used by horizontal squeezing led to the greater amount used by pea-sized squeezing. Conclusions : As there were large disparities in the amount of toothpaste used according to the squeezing methods, systematic research efforts should be directed into setting the standard for the recommended amount of toothpaste used for adults and into squeezing method so that they could brush their teeth in an effective manner by using the minimum amount of toothpaste.
