Oral hygiene

Improving oral hygiene

Effective oral hygiene is an essential part of the prevention of periodontal diseases. It is also critical to the successful treatment and maintenance care of those individuals with a diagnosis of periodontitis. Where a patient has sub-optimal oral hygiene, support to achieve a more effective home care regime should be provided. This may require a change in the patient's motivation to perform and maintain effective plaque biofilm removal and also in their behaviour in terms of tooth brushing and interdental cleaning. 

Changing a patient's home care is complex and relies on both the patient and clinician being involved in the process. Successfully changing a patient's oral hygiene behaviour requires the clinician to have an understanding of the change(s) required, the challenges that may be faced by the patient and the support needed to make the desired change(s).