COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF ORAL HYGIENE BY MICROBIOLOGICAL CRITERIA

The relevance of the study is determined by the limited effectiveness of standard mechanical oral hygiene in hard-to-reach anatomical areas, including interdental spaces, cervical regions, fissures of chewing teeth, and periodontal pockets, which contributes to the persistence of microorganisms, the development of chronic inflammation, and the progression of periodontal diseases. Subject. The subject of the study was the effectiveness of combined oral sanitation protocols based on the use of PresiDENT hygiene products in terms of changes in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the oral microflora, as well as the development of personalized preventive recommendations. Objective. To search for an optimal algorithm of hygiene measures providing maximum clinical and microbiological effectiveness when using combined oral sanitation protocols. Materials and Methods. The study involved 30 dental students aged 20–21 years divided into 3 groups depending on the oral hygiene protocol used. Oral microbiocenosis was assessed on days 1, 7, and 14 using bacteriological culture, microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results. The most pronounced reduction in oral microbial contamination was observed in the group using an extended combined hygiene protocol with interdental hygiene aids: by day 14, the CFU level decreased to 8.9 ±0.35 × 106 CFU/mL, and the parameters of most microbial taxa approached reference values. The use of only a toothbrush and toothpaste was accompanied by the persistence of high levels of opportunistic microflora. Conclusion. Combined protocols of individual oral hygiene demonstrated higher clinical and microbiological effectiveness compared with standard mechanical tooth brushing and confirmed the necessity of including interdental hygiene aids in daily oral care for the prevention of dental caries and inflammatory periodontal diseases.