[Oral and periodontal hygiene in orthodontic patients].

Introduction: Orthodontic appliances promote dental plaque retention and make tooth-brushing less easy. They result in both quantitative and qualitative changes in dental plaque, exposing orthodontic patients to dental caries and periodontal diseases.

Materials And Methods: The authors explain the effects of orthodontic treatments on dental plaque and the occurrence of dental and periodontal problems; they emphasize the role of pathogenic bacteria and highlight the need for efficient (both individual and professional) control of dental plaque.

Discussion: Therefore, orthodontists have to educate their patients on oral and periodontal hygiene in order to control this bacterial factor and to avoid the occurrence of dental and/or periodontal complications.