Effect of preventive oral hygiene measures on the development of new carious lesions. The results from the study emphasises the importance of toothbrushing twice a day and using fluoridated toothpaste, 1100 ppm (considering the age of the child). The best effect of toothbrushing was seen when the parent brushed the child’s teeth.

In this Israeli study the development of new carious lesions in relation to preventive oral hygiene measures was investigated. 651 children aged 2-18 were included in this historical prospective study. A number of factors were evaluated in relation to the development of new carious lesions: the frequency of attending periodic recall appointments, the frequency of meals, drinking between meals, toothbrushing frequency, the use of fluoridated toothpaste, the use of fluoride mouth rinse, the use of high-concentrate fluoride gel and flossing in children over the age of 11.

The result showed that eating more than 6 meals a day, regular flossing, regular use of fluoride mouth rinse and the use of high-concentrate fluoride gel was not related to the development of new carious lesions. However, the number and frequency of recalls, drinking tap water (most often fluoridated), drinking sugary drinks between meals, the frequency of toothbrushing, who brushes the child´s teeth and the fluoride concentration in toothpaste was shown to have an impact on the development of new carious lesions.

The results from this study emphasises the importance of toothbrushing twice a day and using fluoridated toothpaste, 1100 ppm (considering the age of the child). The best effect of toothbrushing was seen when the parent brushed the child’s teeth.