The effect of oral health education on dental plaque development and the level of caries-related Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of oral hygiene instruction (OHI) on oral hygiene status and on the reduction of inducing bacteria (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp.) in 30 subjects (12 males and 18 females) with an age range from 10 to 14 years. The patients were instructed on how to carry out effective oral hygiene close to brackets and ligatures, and in the use of dental floss for cleaning spaces around brackets, between the teeth and under archwires.