Oral hygiene status

The current state of oral hygiene is assessed by taking an oral hygiene status. The presence of plaque (microbial plaque) and signs of inflammation of the gingiva are recorded.

Without plaque there is no caries, without gingivitis there is no periodontitis! This simple formula is the basis for the indication of an oral hygiene status. While a plaque index provides a snapshot of the success of the last tooth brushing, the gingival inflammation status provides a picture of oral hygiene over a longer period of time, as signs of inflammation only appear after several days of poor dental hygiene.