Evaluation of Oral Hygiene Maintenance in Patients with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

The aim of this study is to evaluate the oral hygiene maintenance in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. This will help the patients to maintain the oral hygiene in an effective way in terms of aesthetic as well as the success of orthodontic treatment. For evaluating the oral hygiene 150 patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were selected from school of dental sciences, Karad. These 150 patients were divided in 3 groups. 50 patients were allotted in group A, who were instructed to carry out their normal oral hygiene methods. Next 50 patients were in group B who were instructed to perform bass tooth brushing technique (The brush head is positioned in an Oblique direction turned to the root apex aiming to introduce the bristles on the gingival sulcus. The brush is then shifted on an antero-posterior direction, using short rhythmic movements) for the next 2 months. Last 50 patients were in group C who were instructed to use 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash (Chlorhexidine has always been the best option in management in severe gingivitis in adolescent patients. A three month use of 0.12 % chlorhexidine approximately reduced 65% plaque, 77% gingival bleeding) along with bass toothbrushing technique for the next 3 months. The oral hygiene of all patients was recorded on the 1st day, at the end of first month and at the end of second month. Gingival index: (loe h and silness p,1963) and Tureskygilmoreglickman modification of the quigleyhein plaque index: (1962) is used for evaluating the oral hygiene of all 150 patients in all 3 groups. According to the data recorded and after statistic evaluation it is seen that patients in group C (patients using bass tooth brushing technique and 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash) could maintain better oral hygiene as compared to group A (patients who followed their normal oral hygiene aids) and group B patients (patients performing bass tooth brushing technique). Thus, this study shows that bass tooth brushing technique should be performed along with 0.12% chlorhexidine mouthwash for maintaining oral hygiene for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.