During the summer months there is a tendency for people to disregard their oral health routine.[i] As your patients venture outside to enjoy the sunshine, make sure they’re informed about the risks which come along with summertime activities. Prevention of dental issues can be simple, so it is important to educate your patients about oral health care. During the warmer months, dehydration and dry mouth are much more likely – both of which can increase the risk of tooth decay – so it is essential that patients are encouraged to maintain a meticulous oral health routine during this time, and drink plenty of water.[ii]
Hypersensitivity can be particularly prevalent in the summer as many people indulge in frozen treats such as ice-cream, slush puppies, and iced drinks. There are many potential causes of tooth sensitivity including dental erosion caused by acidic food and drinks, and tooth grinding (bruxism).[iii] If your patient is particularly sensitive to cold food and drink, it is advisable that they try a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth[iv] and in a more severe case, a clinician can apply fluoride to the sensitive areas.[v]
Caries is easily preventable with good tooth cleaning habits, but can be worsened when lots of sugar is consumed.[vi] To best look after their teeth when consuming a summer diet that is typically higher in sugar[vii] encourage your patients to choose water rather than sugary drinks. Water will not only keep your patients hydrated and refreshed in the heat, but does no damage to the mouth.i Drinking water after eating snacks can also help remove food debris in the mouth and neutralise pH for further oral hygiene benefits.[viii]
Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by a number of things, these include; poor oral hygiene, smoking, drinking alcohol, gingival disease, dry mouth, and excessive plaque build-up.[ix] Halitosis can be a particular problem during the summer as many people are more likely to enjoy an alcoholic drinkvii and smoking is a much more regular occurrence.[x] Tobacco products also put patients at high risk of many diseases so cessation should be encouraged any time of year.ix
Additionally, you can recap thorough brushing techniques during patient appointments including cleaning of the tongue, cheeks and roof of the mouth to ensure your patients are effectively removing the bacteria from their mouths. They should also be reminded of the importance of regular dental visits all year round as this will aid early diagnosis of dental problems such as gingivitis and dry mouth.[xi]
It is also important to explore the oral hygiene products which patients use – especially when it comes to interdental cleaning. When water flossers are compared to string floss, for example, clinical studies consistently show that water flossing is more effective than string flossing for better oral health. Water flossing has also been shown to be up to three times as effective for removing plaque around braces, and twice as effective for improving gum health around implants when compared to string floss.[xii] The top branded water flosser is user friendly and very effective, therefore a great option for those who are struggling to achieve good cleanliness with traditional string floss.
The Waterpik® Whitening Professional Water Flosser is an innovative solution to interdental cleaning, which can be easily integrated into the everyday at home cleaning routine. Recommend this product to your patients with the confidence that it removes plaque and debris deep between teeth and below the gumline where brushing and string flossing cannot reach.[xiii] Not only this, but it includes Whitening Infuser Technology which is clinically proven to remove and additional 25% of teeth stains when compared to brushing alone.[xiv]
Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is essential for the oral health of all patients, and during the summer months they should take extra care to do so. They should be educated to better understand their role in minimising plaque to avoid gingival disease.[xv] While it is the patient’s responsibility to ensure a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and maintain good oral hygiene routines, it is important for the dental team to provide tailored advice and support to help each patient succeed.
For more information on Waterpik® products please visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik® products are available from Amazon, Costco UK, Argos, Boots, Superdrug and Tesco online and in stores across the UK and Ireland.
Join the 3,000+ dental teams who have already benefitted from a professional Waterpik® Lunch & Learn. Book your free session for 1 hour of verifiable CPD and a free Waterpik® Water Flosser – available either face to face or as a webinar – at www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/lunch-learn/.
Author:
Andrea Hammond is a Dental Hygienist and Waterpik Professional Educator. Andrea has worked in dentistry since 1996, first qualifying as a dental nurse in 1998 – the same year in which she secured a place on the very first dental therapy cohort at the Eastman Dental Hospital. Following this, she was awarded diplomas in both dental hygiene and dental therapy in the year 2000, and became an active member of the GDC fitness to practice panel since 2015. Today, she continues to share knowledge as a Professional Educator for Waterpik and be deeply involved in the industry as a Regional Group Representative for the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT).
[i] Five Top Tips You Need To Know To Keep Your Teeth Healthy This Summer, Oral Health Foundation (2018). Date accessed 25.04.2022 https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/five-top-tips-you-need-to-know-to-keep-your-teeth-healthy-this-summer
[ii] Dry Mouth, NHS (2021) Date accessed 26.04.2022 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dry-mouth/
[iii] Sensitive Teeth, Oral Health Foundation. Date accessed 25.04.2022 https://www.dentalhealth.org/sensitive-teeth
[iv] Consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and management of dentin hypersensitivity. Canadian Advisory Board on Dentin Hypersensitivity. J Can Dent Assoc. 2003 Apr;69(4):221-6. PMID: 12662460. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12662460/
[v] Dentinal hypersensitivity: a narrative review. Cartwright, Richard Bryan. Community Dent Health 31.1 (2014): 15-20. doi:10.1922/CDH_3287Cartwright https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261755042_Dentinal_hypersensitivity_A_narrative_review
[vi] Dental caries. Selwitz, R.H., Ismail, A.I. and Pitts, N.B., 2007. The Lancet, 369(9555), pp.51-59. 10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60031-2
[vii] Evaluation of drinks contribution to energy intake in summer and winter. Malisova, Olga et al. Nutrients vol. 7,5 3724-38. 15 May. 2015, doi:10.3390/nu7053724 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446775/
[viii] What is the pH of Saliva? Healthline (2018). Date accessed 25.04.2022 https://www.healthline.com/health/ph-of-saliva#balancing-ph
[ix] Halitosis (Bad Breath), Johns Hopkins Medicine, (2022). Date accessed 25.04.2022 https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/halitosis-bad-breath#:~:text=Halitosis%20is%20an%20oral%20health,toward%20treating%20this%20preventable%20condition.
[x] Exploring the seasonality of cigarette-smoking behaviour. Momperousse, D et al. Tobacco control vol. 16,1 (2007): 69-70. doi:10.1136/tc.2006.018135 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2598459/
[xi] Take Care of your Teeth and Gums, NHS (2022). Date accessed 26.04.2022https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/take-care-of-your-teeth-and-gums/
[xii] WaterPik® Water Flosser: 3 Times as Effective as String Floss for Orthodontic Patients, Sharma NC, Lyle DM, Qaqish JG, et al. Am J Ortho Dentofacial Orthop, (2008), Date accessed 27.04.2022 https://www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/clinical-research/water-flosser-reduce-plaque-bleeding-adolescents-braces-sharma-2008/
[xiii] Waterpik® water Flosser: Over 50% More Effective than String Floss for Reducing Gingivitis, Barnes CM, et al. J Clin Dent, (2005), Date accessed 27.04.2022 https://www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/clinical-research/dental-floss-vs-water-flosser-reducing-gingivitis-plaque-barnes-2005
[xiv] Waterpik® Whitening Water Flosser: Improved Stain Removal Over Tooth Brushing Alone, Milliman JL, Milleman KR, Battershell K, Lyle, DM Study conducted at Salus Research, Fort Wayne, IN. (2014), Date accessed 27.04.2022
[xv] Gum Disease, NHS (2022). Date accessed 25.04.2022 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gum-disease/
