Appropriate oral hygiene is an essential and effective prophylactic measure against caries and periodontal disease. The most important aids for this purpose are suitable multi-tufted short-headed tooth brushes with suitable plastic bristles and suitable tooth-pastes. By means of a rational technique, as for instance the rotation method, teeth and gum margin should be systematically cleaned for at least three minutes if at all possible after every meal. A certain massage effect is exerted on the gingivae at the same time. All other aids to oral hygiene such as toothpicks, dental floss, interdental stimulators, mouthwashes etc. are only additional aids which certainly have their special indications.