The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the individual measures for periodontal health maintenance in adults. Methods. Study participants (n=896) completed a questionnaire about personal oral hygiene practices and risk factors, such as smoking. Results. High percentage, 40% (n=357) of the subjects reported that they currently smoke, and 5% (n=43) reported that quit smoking. 25% of the subjects consider that they have excellent oral hygiene, 41% good oral hygiene, although the high mean of plaque index in smokers is 1.34 (SD 0.69) and in non-smokers -1.36 (SD 0.72). Young patients are using mainly dental floss (24% of them <35 years), compared with 45-55 and over 55, who are using mainly toothpicks. Average tooth brushing time is decreasing as age increases. Electric tooth brushing is used in a higher percentage by young patients, <35 years: 16% non-smokers, 30% smokers, 33% quit smokers. Conclusions. Oral hygiene education needs to be improved in both smokers and non-smokers, especially in older patients, who seem to be more careless.
Keywords:- oral hygiene
- periodontitis
- plaque control
- smoking