Keep it simple and they will comply – Sharon Kidd Dental Hygienist – Waterpik
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 13th October 2019
Dental professionals treat patients from all walks of life, young and old and each of them needs assistance to help them to achieve optimum oral health. Providing instruction and finding solutions that work as part of the home care routine is essential for everyone, but particularly for patients that have a complex medical history and also pre-teen aged patients who are yet to gain full oral health understanding.
As we know, the population is ageing and more people are being diagnosed with conditions such as diabetes than ever before.[1]Certainly, patients present with health issues every day including those with high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, and arthritis as well as restricted mobility or dexterity to name but a few. As people get older their medication requirements tend to increase as well and so does the potential for side effects. For example, some drugs that are commonly used to treat high blood pressure or cholesterol along with some pain medications, antidepressants and muscle relaxants can reduce salivary flow. This problem can also be compounded as a lot of older people stop drinking in the evenings to avoid getting up in the night to use the toilet. This means that the mouth can become dry and uncomfortable, but worse still are the resulting high levels of bacteria and the increased risks of developing caries[2]and periodontal disease.[3]
In general, older adults understand the concept that prevention is better than cure and want to do what they can to maintain both their oral and general health. However, they often need the help of a dental professional to devise an effective oral hygiene routine that can be performed easily by themselves or by an assisting carer, and helps to keep oral bacteria to a minimum.
At the other end of the scale we have the pre-teenage patients. They know that they need to clean their teeth twice a day and they have the physical ability but they may not have actually grasped exactly why it is so important. They might think it is acceptable to rush the cleaning routine and abstain from brushing or flossing properly. At this age, patients are just beginning high school education where they might be easily influenced by their peers and tempted to experiment with smoking or drinking. In addition, as they begin to make their own choices and have a little spending power, they tend to consume more sugar and carbohydrate laden snacks and drinks, particularly energy drinks.
During this period, many patients also have orthodontic devices – it is vital that they keep the teeth and gums as clean and healthy as possible. There is no denying that cleaning properly around barriers such as brackets, bands and wires can be difficult as well as time consuming. Nevertheless, by offering a solution that makes the oral hygiene routine easier, as well as one of the many apps available to educate and to keep them motivated, you can make good oral health a whole lot more interesting.
Made by the number one water flosser brand in the world, the Waterpik®Sonic Fusion®is the first ever flossing toothbrush. It combines the power of an advanced sonic toothbrush with the long-established benefits of water flossing technology in one easy to use device. Clinically proven to be twice as effective as traditional brushing and flossing,[4]the Waterpik®Sonic Fusion® makes brushing and flossing quick and simple for patients of all ages and abilities.
The crux of the matter is simplicity. Keep it simple and they will comply. Oral hygiene should not be complex. Patients do not want to be bombarded with lots of complicated instructions and a full catalogue of different sized brushes. They need a simple solution that enables them to brush and floss quickly and easily, but also safely and effectively too. To meet the needs of each and every patient you meet, it is essential to be aware of the most beneficial oral health products and solutions available on the market.
For more information on Waterpik®products please visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik®products are available from Amazon, Asda, Costco UK, Boots and Superdrug online and in stores across the UK and Ireland.
Author
Sharon Kidd is an experienced Dental Hygienist from Surrey. Over the years she has practiced in a wide variety of clinical settings and worked closely with both specialist and general dental practitioners. During her career Sharon has met an extensive range of different patients and she stands by the philosophy for keeping things simple in order to help her patients to achieve the highest possible standards of oral health.
References
[1]Diabetes UK. Facts and Figures.https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/statistics[Accessed 19th June 2019]
[2]Gati D et al. Elderly at greater risk for root caries: a look at the multifactorial risks with emphasis on genetics susceptibility. International Journal of Dentistry. May 2011, Article ID 647168. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijd/2011/647168/[Accessed 19thJune 2019]
[3]Nazir M. A Prevelence of periodontal disease, its association with systemic dieases and prevention. nt J Health Sci (Qassim). 2017 Apr-Jun; 11(2): 72–80.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426403/[Accessed 19thJune 2019]
[4]Goyal CR, Qaqish JG, Schuller R, Lyle DM. Comparison of a novel sonic toothbrush to a traditional sonic toothbrush and manual brushing and flossing on plaque, gingival bleeding and inflammation: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Compend Contin Edu Dent 2018; x(Special Iss. 1):pp. https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/cced/special-issues/2018/06/comparison-of-a-novel-sonic-toothbrush-to-a-traditional-sonic-toothbrush-and-manual-brushing-and-flossing-on-plaque-ginigval-bleeding-and-inflammation[Accessed 19th June 2019]
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