PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY INSERVICE TRAINING COURSE FOR THE EVALUATION OF DENTAL CARIES CONTROL TECHNICS September 8 through 13, 1947 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

PROPHYLAXIS, TOOTHBRUSHING, AND HOME CARE OF THE MOUTH AS CARIES CONTROL MEASURES

¹ SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY, UNIVERSITY OF INDIANA, INDIANAPOLIS, IND.

There is considerable evidence in the literature that mechanical cleansing of teeth will reduce the numbers of bacteria in the mouth and on the teeth. Certainly frequent mechanical cleansing will also reduce the volume of media for microorganisms to utilize. It is probable, therefore, that the cleaner the teeth the less likely they are to decay.

However, it is apparent that the numbers of oral bacteria quickly return to a high level soon after mechanical cleansing, and that it is not possible to remove all oral bacteria by mechanical procedures alone. This coupled with the facts that the cleansing must be done thoroughly and immediately after eating if it is to be effective, makes mechanical cleansing of teeth of limited value in dental caries control. More carefully controlled clinical research must be done to determine the effectiveness of mechanical cleansing.