Patient Education

Question 1

manual toothbrushes characteristics

Answer 1

patient needs: size, shape, texture
bristles: synthetic have rounded ends which are ideal when compared to natural
access: easy to use, easy to clean, durable, inexpensive
CDA/ADA seal: approval of design

Question 2

parts of a manual toothbrush

Answer 2

handle: where toothbrush is grasped
head: working end, has the bristles
shank: connects the head and handle

Question 3

size of parts of a manual toothbrush

Answer 3

length of the head should cover 2-3 posterior teeth and the width should be the occlusal surface of the first molar

Question 4

powered toothbrushes effectiveness

Answer 4

10-20% reduction in plaque, 10% reduction in gingivitis

Question 5

powered toothbrush heads

Answer 5

Phillips: sonic motion, teardrop head
Oral-B: rotational/oscillating motion, round head

Question 6

how long/frequent should you brush

Answer 6

two minutes for a patient with 28 teeth, about 4 seconds per tooth
two times a day
plaque cycle: 6 hours to settle

Question 7

methods of toothbrushing

Answer 7

bass method
stillman method
charters method
fones method
other: rolling, horizontal, vertical

Question 8

tongue cleaning why/how

Answer 8

papilla provide a rough surface for bacteria to attach
light pressure, brush forward to tip of the tongue, repeat 3-4 times

Question 9

adverse effects of toothbrushing

Answer 9

gingival abrasion: gingival recession from brushing too hard
dental abrasion: wedge shaped lesions on the cervical 1/3 of teeth
bacteremia: can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream, important for compromised immune system individuals

Question 10

replacing and storage

Answer 10

replace brush every 3 months
do not store in a closed container

Question 11

documentation

Answer 11

type of brush, when they brush, how they brush, if new technique was shown

Question 12

healthy or class one interdental aids

Answer 12

string floss
floss picks
soft picks

Question 13

how to use string floss

Answer 13

thumb and finger, index fingers
work floss slowly between the teeth in a short sawing motion
curve floss around the tooth in a C shape
press floss firmly against tooth, move beneath gingiva
begin with the distal surface of the most posterior tooth

Question 14

larger embrasure spaces interdental aids

Answer 14

interdental brushes
rubber tip
end-tuft brush

Question 15

how to choose interdental aids

Answer 15

what do they already use?
dental and gingival anatomy
assess plaque
assess personal factors

Question 16

documentation of interdental aids

Answer 16

what they are already using
what you find during assessment
what suggestions you make

Question 17

edentulous

Answer 17

patient is missing teeth
complete: no teeth
partial: missing at least one tooth

Question 18

history of tooth loss

Answer 18

poor oral self-care
carious lesions
periodontal infections
trauma

Question 19

residual ridge

Answer 19

where the alveolar ridge used to be

Question 20

oral mucosa

Answer 20

lines the ridge, three types

Question 21

masticatory mucosa

Answer 21

covers ridges and hard palate

Question 22

lining mucosa

Answer 22

floor of the mouth, vestibules, and cheeks

Question 23

specialized mucosa

Answer 23

dorsal surface of tongue

Question 24

why replace teeth

Answer 24

occlusion, eat better foods, restore facial contour, aesthetics, have better speech

Question 25

removable partial denture

Answer 25

rests on oral mucosa, replaces teeth, clasps onto abutment teeth, can be implant or tooth supported

Question 26

complete denture

Answer 26

rests on edentulous ridge and replaces all teeth

Question 27

bridges

Answer 27

abutment and pontic

Question 28

obturator

Answer 28

covers cleft on hard palate

Question 29

removable denture home care

Answer 29

remove denture
clean denture with warm water, above the sink, with a towel in the sink
clean with denture brush and dish soap
put back in OR store in water overnight

Question 30

fixed denture home care

Answer 30

brush with non-abrasive toothpaste
use interdental aide like floss threader, SuperFloss, Soft Picks, or water flosser to clean abutment teeth

Question 31

in-office care

Answer 31

clean in ultrasonic if removable
remove buildup from prostheses
do not forget abutment teeth/implants when completing debridement

Question 32

causes of denture related lesions

Answer 32

ill-fitting denture
reaction to cleaner
improper home care
xerostomia

Question 33

types of denture related oral mucosal lesions

Answer 33

traumatic ulcers
denture stomatitis
angular cheilitis
tissue hyperplasia