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

Professional mechanical plaque removal for secondary prevention of periodontal disease

12 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_57647551

For this review of professional mechanical plaque removal 19 studies were identified. While benefits were shown for an number of outcomes; tooth loss; clinical attachment; pocket depth and bleeding on probing the impact on long-term tooth survival and stability of periodontal parameters has still to be assessed.

[read the full story...]

Oral health-related behaviours: improved with interventions using goal setting, self-monitoring and planning

15 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_144116647

This new review included 14 studies and included 7 theoretical models of health-related behaviour. The findings suggest that Interventions based on the use of goal setting, self-monitoring and planning are effective in improving oral health-related behaviours.

[read the full story...]

Health behaviour change counselling in a dental setting

21 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
This meta-analysis claims to be the first evaluating mindfulness-based interventions in primary care.

Oral health professionals can play an important role in helping patients adopt good health behaviours. This review summarises 7 systematic reviews, finding that the strongest evidence is for smoking cessation and dietary interventions delivered by dental professionals.

[read the full story...]

Gingivitis: anti-plaque agents may help

11 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_87714310

This new review covers the board topic of the efficacy of anti-plaque chemical formulations for managing gingivitis. 87 heterogeneous studies found a statistically significant benefit with most test products.

[read the full story...]

Poor oral health and severe mental illness: what are the links?

80 Responses »
Helge Hasselmann
Posted by
shutterstock_97095518

Helge Hasselmann summarises a recent systematic review of poor oral health and severe mental illness (SMI), which found that people with SMI were 2.8 times more likely to have lost all their teeth, and had more missing, decayed or filled teeth.

[read the full story...]

Mouthwashes and plaque control in orthodontic patients

11 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_22333477

This review of mouthwash use in patients having fixed banded orthodontic treatment included 15 small studies and suggests that they reduce plaque levels. However the clinical relevance of the findings are uncertain and larger well conducted studies are needed.

[read the full story...]

Xylitol gum reduced mutans streptococci transmission

18 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_79762429

This review identified 5 trials reported in 11 publications and found that the chewing of xylitol gum by mothers significantly reduced transmission of mutans streptococci to their children. However the effects on caries were inconsistent.

[read the full story...]

Mutans Streptococci: maternal-child transmission confirmed by review

22 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_61886353

Thirty six studies were identified for this review of maternal-child transmission rates for mutans streptococci. Rates varied from 52.5% – 84.5% with a meta-analysis finding a cumulative event rate of 0.650 (95% CI; 0.565 to 0.726).

[read the full story...]

Oral piercings-tooth and gum damage common suggests review

21 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_184841171

Twelve observational studies were included in this review which suggested that lip and tongue piercings increased the risk of gum and tooth damage . The relative risk for tooth damage with lip piercings was 1.33 (95%CI; 0.74 to 2.41) and 2.44 (95%CI;1.35 to 4.41) for tongue piercings.

[read the full story...]

Increased overjet: increases risk of dental trauma suggests review

13 Responses »
Profile photo of Derek Richards
Posted by
shutterstock_81871846

This systematic review of a 54 observations studies involving >10,000 patients suggested that overjet over 3-4mm double the risk of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs). With 22% of TDIs being attributable to increased overjet.

[read the full story...]