oral health

The optimal state of the mouth and normal functioning of the organs of the mouth without evidence of disease.

Our oral health Blogs

Chlorhexidine mouthwash: Do anti-discolouration systems reduce effectiveness?

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This review of the effectiveness of chlorhexidine mouthwash with an anti-discoloration system (ADS) is effective in preventing extrinsic tooth surface discoloration included 13 RCTs with the findings suggesting that ADS reduces staining but did not affect its properties with respect to gingival inflammation and plaque scores.

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Toothbrushing in intensive care: Does it reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia?

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This review of whether toothbrushing-based oral health measures, performed in intensive care units, can reduce the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) included 12 RCTs with the findings suggesting a positive effect.

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School dental screening for improving dental health

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The review found that adding family-based interventions to school-based interventions may reduce the onset of smoking by 4-25%.

This Cochrane review update of the effectiveness of school dental screening programmes on overall oral health status and use of dental services included 7 RCTs providing very low-certainty evidence that is insufficient to allow us to draw conclusions about whether there is a role for traditional school dental screening in improving dental attendance.

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Overjet and dental trauma risk

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This review of different overjet sizes that present an increased risk for developing dental trauma across different ages and dentition stages included 41 cross-sectional studies showing a a significant association between increased overjet and traumatic dental injury.

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Early childhood caries: modifiable risk factors

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This review of evidence pertaining to the effect of modifiable risk factors on early childhood caries(ECC) includes 133 mainly observational data providing moderate certainty evidence that breastfeeding up to 2 y of age does not increase ECC risk , and that providing access to fluoridated water and educating caregivers are justified approaches to ECC

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Intellectual disability and oral health

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This review of on the oral health of community dwelling adults with intellectual disabilities included 33 mainly cross-sectional studies showing a the continuing high prevalence of oral disease and treatment need

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Fluoride varnish for caries prevention in pre-school children

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This review of the effectiveness of fluoride varnish in reducing the risk of new caries in primary teeth included 20 studies suggesting modest effects in pre-school children.

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Tooth loss predictors in periodontal patients

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This review of predictors of tooth loss in patients with periodontitis undergoing treatment and receiving supportive care included 20 studies. Findings suggest older, non‐compliant patients, smokers, diabetics, those with IL‐1‐polymorphism, and teeth with bone loss, high probing pocket depths, mobility, as well as molars, especially with furcation involvement, are at higher risk of tooth loss.

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Anti-plaque agents in toothpaste: Are they helpful in managing gingivitis?

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This review of the efficacy of different anti-plaque chemical agents in managing gingivitis included 32 RCTS of toothpastes and 19 of mouthrinses suggested greater benefits with some agents.

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Dental fear and anxiety: Is it related to negative oral health beliefs?

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Media coverage of the paper by Davies and Read was emotive and damning in terms of the dangers of antidepressant medication.

This review of the evidence on the relationship of oral health beliefs with dental fear and anxiety included 10 studies and suggests that patients with negative health beliefs are more likely to suffer with dental fear and anxiety.

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