CHANGING TRENDS IN ORAL HYGEINE AND PLAQUE CONTROL IN CHILDREN

Dental caries and periodontal disease are the two main diseases initiated in childhood and their prevention should be carried out early before the insidious onset of the disease. Dental plaque is the most important etiologic factor for these diseases. Therefore dental plaque control using various methods and agents helps in controlling initiation of gingival and periodontal diseases. A combination of oral hygiene instructions and mechanical and chemical professional tooth cleaning at proper intervals can almost completely prevent the development of both dental caries and periodontal diseases. This review presents an outline of mechanical and chemical methods of plaque control with certain modifications for young children and adolescents including handicapped children for effective control of dental plaque.