Adult Oral Health

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Prevention

Adult Oral Health Adult Oral Health and Disease Prevention

Steps can be taken to minimize the impact of oral diseases. Educating patients and encouraging them to follow these steps will help promote oral health and minimize oral disease.

Preventive Steps

  • Brush and floss regularly
  • Avoid frequent snacking on sugary foods, as this increases the acidity of the mouth and accelerates decay
  • Use fluoride toothpaste
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco
  • Minimize medications with oral effects
  • Visit dentist regularly

Brushing & Flossing Techniques

  • Brush at least twice a day
  • Use a soft toothbrush and focus on the area where the tooth meets the gingiva
  • Manual and electric toothbrushes produce comparable oral hygiene results, so the choice should be based on personal preference
  • Flossing helps disrupt the formation of plaque below the gum line and between the teeth
  • Water flossers and Super Floss(R) are as effective as regular floss for plaque removal. They can be used as an alternative for people with dental appliances, or people with dexterity issues

How to Brush Your Teeth

How to Floss Your Teeth

References

Robinson PG, Deacon SA, Deery C, Heanue M, Walmsley AD, Worthington HV, Glenny AM, Shaw WC. Manual versus powered toothbrushing for oral health. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD002281. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002281.pub2.

Fjeld KG, Eide H, Mowe M, Sandvik L, Willumsen T. A 1-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial with focus on manual and electric toothbrushes' effect on dental hygiene in nursing homes. Acta Odontol Scand. 2018; 76(4): 257-261.

Abdellatif, Hoda, et al. "Comparison between water flosser and regular floss in the efficacy of plaque removal in patients after single use." The Saudi Dental Journal 33.5 (2021): 256-259.

Sawan, Nozha, et al. "Effectiveness of Super Floss and Water Flosser in Plaque Removal for Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial." International Journal of Dentistry 2022 (2022).

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