[Oral hygiene habits of periodontal patients in relation to age].

The relationship between age and oral hygiene habits as it was defined by the answers in a special questionnaire was studied and evaluated in a group of adult periodontal patients. The answers of 185 patients were evaluated from a total of 987 questionnaires from patients presented for periodontal treatment in the private offices of the authors during the last ten years, consisting a representative sample. The questions related to the personal habits of the patient in relation with the frequency of brushing, the method of brushing, the hardness of the toothbrush, the possibility "of brushing their gums" and the possibility of using additional mechanical aids of oral hygiene. The results showed that the frequency of the everyday brushing is decreasing steadily and progressively from the younger to the older patients. The method of brushing as well as the choice regarding the hardness of the toothbrush that the periodontal patients are using is not influenced by age. However the knowledge of patients regarding brushing the use of additional mechanical aids of oral hygiene except the toothbrush and the value of the toothpaste are statistically significant influenced by the age of the patients. The results of this study confirm that the younger age groups of periodontal patients are more informed about oral hygiene. The greater awareness which is higher in younger patients is possible explanation for these results.