The oral cavity hygiene as the basic element of the gingival recession prophylaxis.

The purpose of the study was the evaluation of the dental plaque and the influence of determined hygienic factors on gingival recession occurrence in 455 students of The Medical University of Bialystok. All the subjects were examined in artificial light, with the use of the probe, mirror, and parodontometer. The distribution of stained dental deposits were estimated with the use of the plaque index according to Quigley and Hein. Moreover, the students were to fill a survey of their own project concerning hygienic habits. The results underwent statistical analysis. The dental plaque was not present in 71 people. Gingival recession was revealed in 134 out of 455 subjects. The majority of medical students brushed their teeth twice a day, using medium hard toothbrush or electric toothbrush with appropriate movements and medium strength while brushing. The frequency of brushing the teeth, hardness of the toothbrush, the use of electric toothbrush, the movements during brushing the teeth, the strength of brushing, the frequency of toothbrush change, the age, and sex have significant influence on the number of recession. The increase in the gingival recession in students is connected with: large pressure on the brush while toothbrushing, too frequent brushing and toothbrush change, the use of hard toothbrush and additional hygienic items, movements while brushing, the age (the number of recession elevates with the age), and sex (women showed more recession than men).