[A PhD completed. Prevention and oral hygiene: instructions, toothbrush and mouthwash]

Circa 35% of English-language professional dental care associations' websites provide advice and/or information on toothbrushing. Although the advice and information given varies considerably, there is consensus on the importance of brushing twice daily with a manual toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Alignment of national and international information on preventive oral care provided on websites, e.g. from the World Dental Federation and the International Federation of Dental Hygienists, seems necessary. It was also found that the oral hygiene behaviour of patients with periodontitis changed after initial treatment: they brushed longer daily and used an electric toothbrush, wooden toothpicks, and interdental brushes more often. Based on research with single-brushing exercises the electric toothbrush was found to be more effective than the manual toothbrush with respect to plaque reduction. If a chlorhexidine mouthwash is recommended, it can be used without creating problems before or after toothbrushing with a sodium lauryl sulphate dentifrice. Chlorhexidine and sodium fluoride may be simultaneously present in the same mouthwash without reducing chlorhexidine efficacy.