Oral hygiene faux pas: are your patients guilty?

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  Posted by: Dental Design      22nd June 2023

Generally, oral health literacy has improved dramatically over the years, thanks to many government incentives and scientific progress. Most patients will recognise the steps they need to take in order to protect their oral cavity from disease. But, no doubt due to the influences of social media or well-meaning family and friends, there are some oral hygiene faux pas that are still prevalent among the population.

Is ‘free’ always better?

The market has seen an increase in dentifrices that are marketed as ‘fluoride-free’ and ‘natural’.[i] There has long been a debate about fluoride, and its supposed risks to human health. Despite this, there is an abundance of evidence that supports the efficacy of fluoride as a preventative measure against oral disease. While a proper oral hygiene routine is the gold standard method of keeping oral complications at bay, research has shown that fluoridation can help to reduce tooth decay in children.[ii] A recent report estimated that: ‘in the most deprived 20% of areas [of the UK], the chance of 5-year-old children having cavities was 25% lower in areas with a fluoridation scheme than in areas without’.

Some patients may have a fluoride allergy, or are generally sceptical about using fluoridated products. With regards to the latter, it’s important that patients’ wishes are respected, but the dental team should take the opportunity to discuss the benefits of fluoride, to ensure they are fully-informed to make the right decision for their oral health.

Get the bristles right!

There are numerous types of toothbrush, both manual and electric, that utilise a range of bristle types, from soft, medium and hard. Your patients may not be aware of the impact that each type of bristle can have on their teeth and gums. As you know, harder bristles may have the roughness required to remove plaque, but research shows that they can actually cause soft tissue trauma, compared to softer-bristled brushes.[iii] Similarly, medium-to-hard bristled toothbrushes are thought to cause higher dentine abrasion, compared to their softer counterparts.[iv] The brushing technique employed by patients can also play a huge role – overzealous brushing, even when using a soft-bristled toothbrush, can still result in abrasion.iv In light of this, helping patients choose the right toothbrush, and showing then how to brush effectively, can help to reduce the incidence of sore gums and dentine abrasion. 

Sore, bleeding gums 

Some of your patients may complain of sore, tender and/or bleeding gums, which get in the way of them effectively brushing and interdentally cleaning. It’s likely that many patients avoid reporting this issue to the dental team – they might think it’ll go away on its own, or that it’s not a serious enough problem to warrant booking an appointment.

Bleeding gums can be a sign of gum disease, which as you know progresses to more severe symptoms if left untreated. If patients feel they are unable to continue brushing or interdentally cleaning properly, they may be unwittingly making the issue worse! As such, educating patients on the causes of bleeding gums, and the importance of maintaining their oral hygiene routine during this time, can help them to recognise the issue and seek help promptly.

Don’t ignore the issue

Following the aforementioned point, ignoring dental health problems can prove a serious, and potentially costly mistake for your patients to make. Just a few examples might include, in addition to bleeding gums: excessively bad breath, sores, dry mouth, sensitivity, swelling to the jaw or neck and toothache. Unfortunately, there are many barriers to good dental health care that can dissuade, or even force some patients from attending their dental practice regularly.

The consequences of oral complications are far-reaching, so ensuring patients recognise the tell-tale signs of common oral problems is vital. Providing resources, either in person at the practice or via your website/blog, is the best way to share guidance with patients. Additionally, highlighting preventative measures, such as implementing a healthy diet, reducing sugar intake and brushing/interdentally cleaning daily, will help to reduce the prevalence of these common oral issues.

Recommend the best

Good oral health is easy to attain when patients follow sound guidance, and use products that are clinically-proven to protect their oral cavity. For example, Arm & Hammer™ toothpaste solutions utilise baking soda, an all-natural agent that provides a thoroughly deep clean, every day. Your patients can enjoy long-lasting freshness, as baking soda helps to neutralise acids, balance the oral pH, correct bad odour and remineralise tooth enamel. The whole Arm & Hammer™ range includes baking soda, with solutions for tooth sensitivity, gum protection and tooth whitening. Help your patients protect their oral health with an Arm & Hammer™ toothpaste solution!

In everyday practise, the dental team will encounter patients who are all-too-guilty of making common, but easily-corrected mistakes. As an oral health professional, it’s important to continue promoting clinically-supported tips and advice on how patients can better manage their oral hygiene routines, without putting their health at risk.

For more information about the carefully formulated Arm & Hammer™ toothpaste range, please visit https://www.armandhammer.co.uk/ or email:

ukenquiries@churchdwight.com

Margaret Black bio

I have more than 40 years’ experience in dentistry, qualifying as a dental nurse in 1982 and gaining a Diploma in Dental Hygiene in 1992.

I have experience in both NHS and private dental practice and spent time travelling Scotland as a Clinical Hygienist in Dental Research.

Presently, I split my working week between fixed and locum hygienist posts and was lucky to secure a role as an independent contractor for Church and Dwight in 2019. 

Each role compliments the other and I enjoy meeting different practice teams. 

In my personal life, I am married with an adult daughter and enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love travelling and am looking forward to a long-awaited post pandemic holiday. 

 Arm & Hammer™ oral healthcare products can now be purchased from Boots, Amazon, Superdrug, ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrison’s, Waitrose & Partners and Ocado.

[i] Gupta, A., Gallagher, J.E., Chestnutt, I.G. and Godson, J. (2021). Formulation and fluoride content of dentifrices: a review of current patterns. British Dental Journal. [online] Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41415-021-3424-y [Accessed 6 Feb. 2023].

[ii] GOV.UK. (n.d.). New report confirms fluoridation can reduce tooth decay among children. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-report-confirms-fluoridation-can-reduce-tooth-decay-among-children [Accessed 6 Feb. 2023].

[iii] Zimmer, S., Öztürk, M., Barthel, C.R., Bizhang, M. and Jordan, R.A. (2011b). Cleaning Efficacy and Soft Tissue Trauma After Use of Manual Toothbrushes With Different Bristle Stiffness. Journal of Periodontology, [online] 82(2), pp.267–271. Available at: https://aap.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1902/jop.2010.100328 [Accessed 6 Feb. 2023].

[iv] Hamza, B., Tanner, M., Körner, P., Attin, T. and Wegehaupt, F.J. (2021). Effect of toothbrush bristle stiffness and toothbrushing force on the abrasive dentine wear. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. [online] Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/idh.12536 [Accessed 6 Feb. 2023].

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