A salutogenic perspective was applied in the study when investigating the patient's perspective of what it means to move in the direction towards health in the treatment of periodontitis. Objectives The study aimed at describing the lived experience of improved oral health-related behaviour. Method The descriptive phenomenological method was chosen for collection and analysis of data. Patients were selected from a private general dental clinic. Results The results described the patient-centred perspective in the general structure held together by eight constituents: (i) change is increased successively, (ii) a changed view on self-care at the start of change, (iii) improved self-care includes understanding and automatic routine, (iv) motivating challenges and feedback are perceived as strengthening, (v) having good thoughts and being satisfied with one's own capacity, (vi) experiencing trust and participation along with an expert, (vii) negative experiences and limitations precedes the change and (viii) relating yourself to past time, present time, future and other people. Conclusion The complex pattern of interconnected external and internal components in the results calls for the need of a holistic perspective of the change process and for the clinician to practise flexibility.