dental hygiene

dental hygiene

n.

The practice of keeping the mouth, teeth, and gums clean and healthy to prevent disease. Also called oral hygiene.

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hygiene [hi´jēn]

1. the science of health and its preservation.

2. personal hygiene. adj., adj hygien´ic.

bronchial hygiene in the omaha system, activities directed toward maintenance of respiratory or pulmonary function, including inhalation therapy, percussion, and cannula insertion.

dental hygiene

1. oral hygiene.

2. the profession practiced by a dental hygienist.

mouth hygiene (oral hygiene) the personal maintenance of cleanliness and hygiene of the teeth and oral structures by toothbrushing, tissue stimulation, gum massage, hydrotherapy, and other procedures recommended by the dentist or dental hygienist for the preservation of dental and oral health. Called also dental hygiene. (See table.)

personal hygiene in the omaha system, a client problem in the health related behaviors domain, defined as individual practices related to health and cleanliness.