Developing an effective oral hygiene program for the orthodontic patient: review, rationale, and recommendations.

This article demonstrates the importance of good oral hygiene during and after orthodontic treatment. The attitude of all parties involved toward oral hygiene contributes to the dentition's future. Several means of assisting the patient to maintain good oral hygiene are discussed. It has been emphasized throughout the article that correcting malocclusions is important, but if the result of this effort is lost in a few years because of periodontal disease or caries the patient has not been helped. However, if the patient learns to practice effective plaque control, he may keep his teeth for a lifetime.