The main objective in carrying out oral hygiene procedures is to remove bacterial plaque from the teeth. The most important reason for establishing good plaque control is to prevent and treat periodontal disease. There is no doubt that this will also contribute to caries prevention, particularly in the more accessible regions such as the buccal and lingual surfaces, although it must be remembered that caries is most effectively prevented by dietary control and fluorides.
Most people brush their teeth for social reasons - they want 'fresh breath' and white teeth.
We can use these reasons to help motivate people, but at the same time, we must educate them so that they understand what they are doing and why they are doing it. By the dull appearance of a dried tooth surface which is covered with plaque. By using a probe to remove plaque from the tooth surface. By using dental floss to remove plaque from the interdental area. By staining it with a disclosing agent - this is the most useful method.