Prevalence of oral soft and hard tissue lesions related to mechanical toothcleansing procedures.

The prevalence of oral soft and hard tissue lesions related to mechanical oral hygiene procedures was recorded and correlated to toothbrushing habits and oral hygiene status in two selected samples. Fifty-one percent of 533 persons examined exhibited gingival retractions and 45% had wedge-shaped defects in the cervical area of one or several teeth. Both types of lesions were often seen in the same area, indicating a common etiologic factor. The subjects with a good oral hygiene status, as well as those who brushed more than twice daily, showed a high frequency of lesions. The various toothbrushing techniques did not, however, seem to influence the development of such lesions in the present material. Subjective symptoms were reported in a few cases only.