Assessment of oral hygiene and gingivitis in patients during orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Introduction Orthodontic treatment can use fixed or removable orthodontic appliances to straighten teeth and improve bite. Maintaining good oral hygiene throughout life is important to address several issues, including gingivitis. Methodology The standard of observational study was the study of oral hygiene and the risk of gingivitis in patients undergoing dental treatment. This is an observational, cross-sectional study, conducted in several dental clinics in Tirana and Prizren. Through a standardized, all-online questionnaire for 70 patients, oral hygiene and signs of gingivitis were collected. Statistical analysis was performed with the R program. Oral hygiene was assessed with a 0–5 points system, while gingivitis was clinically assessed based on redness, swelling, and bleeding during tooth brushing. Results A total of 64 were included. 69% were female and 31% male. Oral hygiene was good in 37% of cases, average in 44% and poor in 19%. The risk of gingivitis was lower in patients with good hygiene (83% symptoms), while patients with inadequate or insufficient hygiene had higher symptoms of gingivitis. Most patients reported that they had received clear instructions from the orthodontist for oral care throughout their lives. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that there is a relationship between the level of oral hygiene and the risk of developing gingivitis in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. It is recommended that oral hygiene care must be an essential component of treatment and that regular monitoring of oral hygiene and timely intervention must be performed.