HYGIENE, DENTAL HYGIENE, ORAL PROPHYLAXIS, STAINS ON TEETH, DENTAL PLAQUE & CALCULUS
Complete Notes for JKSSB & Other Competitive Examinations (Home Academy Style)
HYGIENE
Definition
Hygiene is the branch of science concerned with the preservation and promotion of health through cleanliness, healthy habits, and disease prevention.
WHO Concept
Hygiene includes all practices that help maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases.
Objectives of Hygiene
Maintain good physical and mental health.
Prevent infectious diseases.Promote healthy living.
Improve quality of life.
Increase life expectancy.
Maintain personal cleanliness.
Protect community health.
Types of Hygiene
1. Personal Hygiene
Maintenance of cleanliness of the body.
Includes:
Bathing regularly
Hand washingNail trimming
Hair care
Clean clothing
2. Oral (Dental) Hygiene
Cleaning and maintaining teeth, gums and mouth.
Includes:
Brushing twice daily
FlossingTongue cleaning
Mouthwash
Regular dental check-ups
3. Food Hygiene
Maintaining cleanliness during preparation and storage of food.
4. Environmental Hygiene
Maintaining a clean environment to prevent diseases.
5. Occupational Hygiene
Protection from hazards at workplaces.
6. Mental Hygiene
Maintaining emotional and psychological well-being.
7. Social Hygiene
Healthy social behavior and disease prevention.
Importance of Hygiene
Prevents infection
Prevents dental diseasesPrevents bad breath
Improves confidence
Prevents epidemics
Promotes healthy lifestyle
DENTAL HYGIENE
Definition
Dental hygiene refers to keeping the teeth, gums and oral cavity clean to prevent dental diseases.
It is one of the most important preventive measures in dentistry.
Objectives of Dental Hygiene
Prevent dental caries
Prevent gingivitisPrevent periodontitis
Remove plaque
Remove stains
Prevent calculus formation
Maintain fresh breath
Preserve natural teeth
Improve appearance
Improve chewing efficiency
Methods of Maintaining Dental Hygiene
Mechanical Methods
Tooth brushing
Dental flossInterdental brush
Tongue cleaner
Oral irrigator
Chemical Methods
Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Fluoride mouthwashFluoride toothpaste
Antiseptic mouth rinse
Professional Care
Scaling
PolishingFluoride therapy
Regular dental examination
Proper Tooth Brushing
Frequency:
Twice daily
Duration:
2–3 minutes
Toothbrush:
Soft-bristle brush
Toothpaste:
Fluoridated toothpaste
Replace Brush:
Every 3 months
ORAL PROPHYLAXIS
Definition
Oral prophylaxis is the professional cleaning of teeth performed by a dentist or dental hygienist to remove plaque, calculus and stains.
It is one of the most common preventive dental procedures.
Objectives of Oral Prophylaxis
Remove plaque
Remove calculusRemove stains
Prevent gingivitis
Prevent periodontitis
Prevent dental caries
Maintain oral hygiene
Improve aesthetics
Prevent bad breath
Educate patients
Components of Oral Prophylaxis
Oral Examination
Checking:
Teeth
GumsTongue
Oral tissues
Scaling
Removal of calculus.
Types:
Supragingival scaling
Subgingival scaling
Root Planing
Smoothening of root surfaces.
Purpose:
Remove infected cementum.
Promote healing.
Polishing
Removes stains and smoothens tooth surfaces.
Fluoride Application
Strengthens enamel and prevents decay.
Oral Hygiene Instructions
Patient education regarding:
Brushing
Flossing
Diet
Tobacco cessation
Various Methods of Oral Prophylaxis
Manual Scaling
Using hand instruments.
Examples:
Curettes
Scalers
Ultrasonic Scaling
Uses ultrasonic vibrations.
Advantages:
Faster
Comfortable
Effective
Air Polishing
Uses:
Air
Water
Fine powder
Best for stain removal.
Rubber Cup Polishing
Uses polishing paste and rotating cup.
Fluoride Therapy
Applied after cleaning.
STAINS ON TEETH
Definition
Stains are discolorations present on tooth surfaces or within the tooth.
Classification of Stains
A. Extrinsic Stains
Present on outer surface.
Cause:
Tea
CoffeeTobacco
Pan
Poor oral hygiene
Iron supplements
Chlorhexidine mouthwash
Color:
Brown
Black
Green
Orange
Yellow
Management:
Scaling
Polishing
Good brushing
B. Intrinsic Stains
Present inside the tooth.
Causes:
Fluorosis
Tetracycline
Trauma
Pulp necrosis
Genetics
Management:
Bleaching
Veneers
Crowns
Common Types of Tooth Stains
Black stain
Cause:
Chromogenic bacteria
Brown stain
Cause:
Tea, coffee, smoking
Green stain
Cause:
Poor oral hygiene
Common in children.
Orange stain
Cause:
Chromogenic bacteria
White spots
Cause:
Early caries
Fluorosis
Management of Tooth Stains
Scaling
PolishingAir polishing
Bleaching
Veneers
Crowns
Tobacco cessation
Proper oral hygiene
DENTAL PLAQUE
Definition
Dental plaque is a soft, sticky biofilm composed of bacteria and food debris that forms on tooth surfaces.
It is the primary cause of dental caries and periodontal disease.
Composition of Plaque
Bacteria
SalivaFood particles
White blood cells
Bacterial products
Types of Dental Plaque
Supragingival Plaque
Above gum line.
Subgingival Plaque
Below gum line.
More harmful.
Formation of Plaque
Step 1
Acquired pellicle formation
↓
Step 2
Bacterial attachment
↓
Step 3
Bacterial multiplication
↓
Step 4
Mature plaque
↓
Step 5
Calculus formation
Harmful Effects of Plaque
Dental caries
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Bad breath
Tooth mobility
Tooth loss
Control of Plaque
Mechanical:
Brushing
Flossing
Scaling
Chemical:
Chlorhexidine
Mouthwash
Fluoride
Professional:
Regular dental cleaning
DENTAL CALCULUS (TARTAR)
Definition
Dental calculus is hardened (mineralized) plaque firmly attached to teeth.
It cannot be removed by brushing.
Formation of Calculus
Plaque
↓
Mineral deposition
↓
Hard calculus
Types of Calculus
1. Supragingival Calculus
Above gum line.
Color:
White or yellow.
2. Subgingival Calculus
Below gum line.
Color:
Dark brown or black.
Harder than supragingival calculus.
Composition of Calculus
Organic Part
Bacteria
Saliva proteins
Inorganic Part (≈70–90%)
Calcium phosphate
Calcium carbonate
Magnesium phosphate
Causes of Calculus
Poor oral hygiene
Excess plaque
Smoking
Irregular brushing
Salivary minerals
Harmful Effects
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Bleeding gums
Bad breath
Gum recession
Tooth mobility
Removal of Calculus
Ultrasonic scaling
Hand scaling
Root planing
Professional polishing
Note: Calculus cannot be removed by brushing alone.
Difference Between Plaque and Calculus
| Feature | Plaque | Calculus |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Soft | Hard |
| Composition | Bacteria + food debris | Mineralized plaque |
| Removal | Brushing | Professional scaling |
| Color | White/yellow | Yellow, brown, black |
| Formation | Daily | After plaque mineralization |
Prevention of Dental Diseases
Brush twice daily.
Use fluoridated toothpaste.Floss daily.
Clean the tongue.
Reduce sugary foods.
Avoid tobacco.
Visit the dentist every 6 months.
Undergo professional scaling when advised.
JKSSB Competitive Examination – Quick Revision Points
One-Liners
Hygiene = Science of health preservation through cleanliness.
Dental hygiene prevents dental caries and periodontal diseases.Oral prophylaxis = Professional cleaning of teeth.
Scaling removes plaque and calculus.
Polishing removes extrinsic stains.
Plaque is a soft bacterial biofilm.
Calculus (tartar) is mineralized plaque.
Plaque can be removed by brushing; calculus requires professional scaling.
Supragingival calculus lies above the gum line.
Subgingival calculus lies below the gum line and is more harmful.
Extrinsic stains affect the outer tooth surface.
Intrinsic stains occur within the tooth structure.
Chlorhexidine is considered the gold standard chemical plaque-control mouthwash.
Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps prevent dental caries.
Brushing should be done twice daily for 2–3 minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Replace a toothbrush every 3 months or sooner if the bristles are worn.
These notes cover the topic from basic to advanced level and are well-suited for JKSSB, JKPSC, NHM, Dental Assistant, Staff Nurse, ANM, GNM, and other competitive examinations.