Factors Associated With Oral Hygiene Practices Among Young Mexican-Identifying Southern Californians

Purpose

To examine factors associated with oral hygiene behaviors among young Mexican-identifying adults.

Methods

Survey data from 340 Mexican-identifying adults aged 21–40 years residing in US–Mexico border regions in California were analyzed. Outcomes included the frequency of toothbrushing and flossing in the last 7 days. Independent variables included predisposing sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex at birth, marital status, education, place of birth, language preference), predisposing beliefs (perceived oral health importance, self-reported oral health status), enabling factors (dental insurance, usual source of care, dental visit in last year), needs (perceived current dental care need), and external environment (COVID-19 impact). Negative binomial regression analyses examined associations after controlling for covariates.

Results

Approximately half the participants were female (57%), single (54%), and preferred Spanish language (48%). Mean participant age was 29.6 ± 5.7 years. Toothbrushing frequency was greater for those who were US-born versus foreign-born (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.16, CI = 1.03–1.28), those who had a dental visit in the past year versus more than a year ago (IRR = 1.15, CI = 1.03–1.28), and higher with increasing oral health importance ratings (IRR = 1.04, CI = 1.01–1.06). Flossing frequency was greater for those who had a past year dental visit versus more than a year ago (IRR = 1.79, CI = 1.37–2.33).

Conclusion

Improving perceptions of oral health importance and encouraging dental visits could enable increased oral hygiene behaviors among young Mexican–American identifying adults.