Preventive Oral Care Task Flashcards
Reasons for the application of a preventive oral care plan
Good oral health care starts at home. Effective home care will lower the risk of caries and periodontal disease. Counseing the patient will give them the tools and knowledge that they need to keep themselves in good oral health
Importance of prevention, demonstration and remediation when homecare instruction is given
After completing the patient assessment, if we believe prevention needs to be addressed we mist work with the patient to come up with goals for sustainable behavior change. We target the most important changes that need to be made, demonstrate any new skills or tools that should be used, have them try, and wxplain again if nevessary. Future appointments will address the goals set in place and check for progress, perform remediation if necessary
What is the function of saliva and what may occur if there is a lack of it
This is called xerostomia
Saliva acts as a buffering agent for acids in the mouth and will clear bacteria and food debris. It also supplies minerals to replace those that are lost during demineralization
Low salivary flow reduces these actions making the teeth more susceptible to cavities.
Xerostomoa can also lead to bad breath as the bacteria are allowed to grow in the mouth
Types and uses of disclosing agents
There are chewable disclosing agents, drops and swabs. We use disclosing agents to show patients areas in the mouth that they are missing or need to focus more on while they are brushing as biofilm that is left behind will show up pink
Types of toothbrushes. Indications for manual or powered
Manual and powered toothbrushes. Manual toothbrushes are inexpensive and can be effective if used properly. Powered toothbrushes can be more effective even when the patient does not necessarily know proper brushing techniques and can provide many more helpful features. They are more effective in reducing gingivitis and will cause less gingival trauma because they have mechanisms to alert the user if they are using too much pressure as well as timers to tell them when to move to a new section.
Powered toothbrushes may also be more helpful for patients with lowered dexterity as they do not need to move the brush back and forth as much
Proper tooth brushing technique for children
This is called the Fones technique
Teetj rish should be held at a 90 degree angle to the tooth. Bristles should be pressed gently against the teeth and moved in a circular motion seveal times in each area before moving on
Proper toothbrushing techniques for adults
The modified bass method is the most widely accepted technoque for adults as it allows the bristles to enter the sulcus
The toothbrush bristles should be placed against the teeth at a 45 degree angle toward the gumline. Press lightly and vibrate the brush back and forth with short strokes, at least 10 in each area. Following the vibratory strokes the brush shoukd be rolled down over the crown of the tooth to reach the rest of the tooth surface
Effects of incorrect tooth rushing technique
Bristles may not reach an adequate depth in the sulcus. Brushing to hrd or vigirously can cause damage to the tissues
Importance of tongue brushing
The tongue in an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. Allowing that bacteria to grow can cause bad breath, or halitosis.
With light pressure, place tongue scraper at the back of the tongue and pull the brush forward to the tip of the tongue. Repeat 3-4 times
Explain the importance of biofilm removal from interdental areas
Toothbrushing alone cannot remove interdental biofilm, therefore additional control in the form or floss, waterpicks etc must be used.
Removal of biofilm from interdental areas is critical because as it is allowed to build and that bacteria sits there, it increases the risk of caries. Also, if the biofilm is not removed it will eventually calcify and become calculus which is more difficult to remove and is a nidus for harboring even more bacteria
Types of dental floss and their uses
There is waxed and unwaxed dental floss and it can be made if silk or nylon
Waxed floss may be easier for some people to insert through the contact areas while thinner, unwaxed floss may be easier to fit through tighter contacts.
Waxed floss is more durable while unwaxed may fray and become fristrating for the patient
Floss is used to remove debris and biofilm from the interproximal areas
Importance and function of using home care aids
Various home care aids can fill in to help remove biofilm in areas that have been made difficult for various reasons such as braces, bridges and dexterity issues
What is the use if a floss threader?
Floss threaders may be used when a patient has beey close contacts, braces, bridges or anything else that may prevent them from getting the floss through the contact area and into the sulcus.
What is the use of a floss holder?
Floss holders can be used for several reasons. For some, holding the floss with two hands may be an issue for those with dexterity problems or arthristis. And some people may just be more likely to floss if they have a holder rather than having to use their hands
What is the use of a proxibrish?
A good choice for interproximal cleaning as they are easy to use and preferred by patients. Size to use will depend on the anatomy of the patients teeth and the size of the embrasures. Can be a good choice for people orthodontic appliances, prostheses, implants etc
