Optimization of oral hygiene in adolescents

Aim. To establish the influence of controlled oral hygiene by optimizing the pressure on the toothbrush when brushing teeth in adolescents on their dental health.

Methods. The study involved 183 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years with the same dental status. The force applied onto toothbrush when cleaning teeth was determined in 95 adolescents who were examined at the beginning of follow-up. 88 adolescents, who were divided into two main groups, were further followed-up. The first group consisted of 51 adolescent who were trained to the rules of tooth brushing using the standard method, and the pressure force on toothbrush when brushing was monitored clinically (according to gingival mucosa reaction) and by using a measuring device. The control of force was performed every 3 months during one year. The data obtained during the preliminary examination of 95 adolescents (the first group) before the beginning of follow-up were the reference points of optimal pressure on the gingiva and teeth. The second group included 37 adolescents who were trained to the rules of the standard tooth brushing once at the beginning of the follow-up.

Results.. It was found that in prolonged control of hygiene habits with particular reference to the pressure power applied by toothbrush on the gingiva and teeth when brushing, clinical indicators characterizing the hygiene indicators and periodontal condition, change in the favorable direction.

Conclusion. Favorable pressure force on the gingiva and teeth when brushing teeth in adolescents is from 140 to 200 g/cm2.