The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of instruction in tooth-brusing on oral cleanliness and improvement of inflamed gingiva in school-children. First, the oral condition was assessed in a group of 189 children, 14-15 of age, from three color photos of the maxillary and mandibular mirror images and a front view of mouth at the beginning of the study.
The children were divided three groups: (1) the oral condition was good, so it was not necessary to teach toothbrushing; (2) there was redness, swelling and bleeding of the papillomarginal gingiva, and dental plaque on the surface, so it was necessary to teach toothbrusing; (3) the oral condition was so bad that immedinical dental care was necessory. The second group of 82 were given individual instruction in brushing by a dental hygienist and a picture was taken of a front view of the mouth after 4 months. The oral cleanliness and improvement of inflammatory signs of the gingiva were compared in the color photos taken before and after the instruction.
The instruction resulted in a 50% reduction in inflamed gingiva. The instruction was repeated who did not show improvement.