Abstract

Background An unhealthy diet with high sugar content use of tobacco high consumption of alcohol and poor oral hygiene are common factors affecting the oral health of people This study was conducted to explore oral hygiene practices use of tobacco and food habits among Tharu people the indigenous community in the Gadi rural municipality of Sunsari Nepal Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Tharu community of Gadi rural municipality Sunsari Nepal from February to August 2015 using a purposive sampling method A face-to-face interview was used to collect data Descriptive statistics were performed using the IBM-SPSS 17 0 Results Females were predominant 57 9 in this study About 86 8 of the participants used a toothbrush with toothpaste as a method of cleaning their teeth 81 76 brushed once a day 84 3 brushed in the morning Almost 80 of the participants brushed their teeth using fluoridated toothpaste The majority 75 of the participants replied that they change their toothbrush for at least 6 months