RESUMEN
PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study aimed at evaluating the factors associated with flossing by caregivers in Brazilian young children. METHODS: Its sample consisted of 305 children aged 1-3 and their mothers from the Brazilian city of Diamantina. They were selected through the Municipal Health Department from a list of registered children who had recently used the public health services. Data collection was done by means of the mothers answering a questionnaire which addressed economic and socio-demographic factors and also the mother and child characteristics and habits. In addition, an oral clinical examination was performed in order to assess Baume arch type and caries occurrence. Descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square test and Poisson regression were performed. RESULTS: It was found that the sample presented a prevalent flossing habit in 20.3% of the subjects. The flossing habit in the children was associated with the mothers' own habit of flossing daily (PR 2.32; 95% CI 1.12-4.82) and with the frequent children's tooth brushing by the mother (PR 2.85; 95% CI 1.05-7.76). CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of flossing by caregivers in young children is associated with the mothers' own habit of flossing daily and with the frequent children's tooth brushing by the mother.