Effects of frequent oral hygiene instructions on microbial levels and salivary buffer capacity in orthodontic patients and their parents.

Aim: To assess whether parental involvement can improve children's oral health as a strategiy to reduce caries risk in children undergoing orthodontic treatment.
Methods: The study population consisted of 40 healthy children aged 7 to 15 years (mean 10.93 ± 2.78) and their accompanying parents (mother or father). Oral hygiene instructions were given simultaneously to all children and accompanying parents every 6 weeks at their regular orthodontic appointments. Levels of Streptococcus mutans and salivary buffer capacity were assessed for both children and parents before and 9 months into orthodontic treatment.
Results: The majority of children (74%) and parents (92%) expressed unchanged levels of Streptococcus mutans and stable salivary buffer capacity throughout the study. When analyzing child-parent pairs with respect to Streptococcus mutans and salivary buffer capacity, no significant differences were found prior to treatment. Nine months into treatment, 57% of the children and parents still showed similar Streptococcus mutans counts and buffer capacity.
Conclusion: The child-parent approach succeeded in preventing deterioration of children's oral hygiene. Parental involvement has an essential part in maintaining children's oral health. Oral health care professionals should partner with parents when implementing any kind of health behavior.
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