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

Review shows that triclosan copolymer toothpaste reduced plaque, gingivitis and caries

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Triclosan  is a polychloro phenoxy phenol that has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.  It has been used since the 1970 in a range of products including soaps, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpastes.  The aim of this Cochrane review was to assess the effects of triclosan/copolymer  containing fluoride toothpastes (TCT), compared with fluoride toothpastes, for the long-term control [read the full story…]

Patients showed a preference to retain a tooth affected by apical periodontitis

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Apical periodontitis (AP) is a common dental problem and can be treated by root canal treatment (RoCT) or extraction.  The aim of this survey for to explore patients’ preferences for management of a tooth affected by AP, when considering its retention via RoCT, its extraction without replacement, or its replacement with an implant supported crown [read the full story…]

Review suggests that financial incentives may change dentists’ clinical activities

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Payment methods have been linked with the professional behaviour of primary care practitioners.  The main methods of payment are fee-for-service, fixed salary and capitation payments or combinations of these. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effects of different methods of remuneration on the level and mix of activities provided by primary care [read the full story…]

Review reiterates that certain features of dental neglect are clearly identifiable

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Sadly child mistreatment, including abuse and neglect are a reality in society.  In the UK, dental neglect has been defined as,  ‘‘the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic oral health needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of a child’s oral or general health and development’’.  The aim of this review was to identify [read the full story…]

Patients’ views of routine scale and polish over estimate any clinical benefits

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Patients attending for their regular dental check up (usually 6-monthly) are likely to have a ‘scale and polish (oral prophylaxis) as part of that visit.  However, a Cochrane review last updated in 2007 did not find evidence of sufficient quality to reach conclusions as to the benefits or harms or routine scaling and polishing. A [read the full story…]

Teaching toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste – are we doing it well?

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Toothbrushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is an effective way of reducing caries. This is confirmed by good systematic review evidence, so teaching patient effective toothbrushing with fluoride toothpaste is a key preventive strategy.  The aim of this qualitative study was to explore oral health professionals (OHPs) perspectives regarding their strategies, considerations [read the full story…]

Study suggests that single application of prophylaxis paste can reduce dentine hypersensitivity

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Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a relatively common problem and we have reported on a number of studies and reviews over the past 12 months that have assessed various treatments to alleviate this problem.   This aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a prophylaxis paste containing 15% calcium sodium phosphosilicate (NovaMin® ), with [read the full story…]

Only poor quality evidence available for the use of fluoride and calcium to prevent dental erosion

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Dental erosion can been defined as the irreversible loss of tooth tissue by chemical processes not involving bacteria. The incidence of dental erosion is considered to be on the increase.  The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of calcium and fluoride in the prevention of dental erosion. The PubMed, Cochrane Database of [read the full story…]

Limited evidence on the benefit of providing oral healthcare education to care home nurses on their attitude and their oral hygiene care skills

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Oral care is an important element of care for older people in care homes as oral health is often poor and can deteriorate rapidly causing pain discomfort and impacting on nutrition and quality of life.  With growing numbers of older people this is an area of increasing demand. This aim of the review was to [read the full story…]

Review finds that oral care that included chlorhexidine use reduced ventilator associated pneumonia

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We have previously looked at a review and a number of studies addressing the issue of oral hygiene and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and (Dental Elf May 20th 2013). A new Cochrane review has just been published which aimed to assess the effects of oral hygiene care (OHC) on the incidence of VAP in critically ill [read the full story…]