Choice of toothpaste among undergraduate dental students.

Introduction: Oral hygiene is the practice of keeping one's mouth clean and free from diseases and other problems (e.g., bad breath). It is one of the most important and necessary aspects to maintain good health. This hygiene is maintained by regular brushing of the teeth (dental hygiene). Toothpaste or gel dentifrice is a paste which is used with the toothbrush to clean the teeth. It helps in removing the food accumulated in the teeth. Hence, brushing with toothpaste suppresses bad breath and maintains oral hygiene. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the choice of toothpaste among undergraduate (UG) dental students. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire was administered through an online survey. The survey was spread among 100 UG dental students to study and determine the factors which influence them to make a purchase of the toothpaste and use it on a daily basis. Results: The present study revealed that a majority of UG dental students use Colgate toothpaste. Cleansing property and long-lasting freshness are the qualities of the toothpaste which attracts the dental students. Television (advertisement) is considered to be a very strong factor influencing their choice. Conclusion: A dentist is an oral health-care professional who can teach you how to properly take care of your teeth and gums on a daily basis. This study is important because it reveals the choice of toothpaste among the dental students who are very conscious of their dental hygiene, and thus, the study has a motive to help people in making an appropriate choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]