Poor oral hygiene can cause severe periodontal disease. Therefore, it is necessary to educate individuals regarding the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene. To this end, in this study, we evaluated the efficacy of using a phase contrast microscope as an instructional tool for oral hygiene. Forty patients, randomly divided into test and control groups, were recruited 6 months after receiving oral prophylaxis. A phase control microscope was used as a demonstration tool for the test group, and a dentiform model was used to demonstrate the ideal tooth-brushing method for the control group. In the test group, awareness regarding the importance of proper oral hygiene was found to increase by 30%, and in the control group, awareness was increased by 20%. The overall satisfaction with the instructional program was 80% in the test and 70% in the control group. The level of understanding was 99% in the test and 80% in the control group. Instructions were easily followed by 80% of the test and 60% of the control group. Understanding of the program was significantly higher in the test group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The overall satisfaction and understanding of proper oral hygiene was over 70% for both the groups. The phase contrast microscope-based instructional program yielded higher actual practice rates. The phase contrast microscope is desirable tool for motivating patients and spreading awareness regarding the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.

Halitosis is a major problem on social interactions in many people, and oral hygiene control is a major treatment for halitosis. However, medication may be the choice of method for non-oral origin halitosis. The present study evaluated the efficacy of chlorophyllin medication for oral malodor patients with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). 26 patients with halitosis visited Department of Periodontology of Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. VSCs (Volatile Sulfur compounds) level was evaluated according to Chlorophyllin medication after 20 days’ medication. Scaling was conducted after medication, and VSCs level was measured 28 days after scaling. Chlorophyllin medication on the halitosis patients with GERD showed a statistically significant efficacy (P > 0.05). There was no significant effect on the patients without GERD (P>0.05). There was no significant effect s caling before o ne month ( P>0.05). Chlorophyllin was e ffective in t he halitosis patients with GERD. There was no significant difference one month after scaling.