Message Boards
Today's Active Topics Today's Active Cases Browse Forum Categories My Recent Activity My Messages Private Groups My Marked Threads My Subscriptions
Today's Active Images Today's Active Polls Most Active Topics Global Townie Map Advanced Message Board Search Message Board Terms of Use

In This Issue: Dry Brush Inside Bottom Teeth First by Trisha O'Hehir, RDH, MS Hygienetown Editorial Director

View Comments (1) More by this author (282)

Dry Brush Inside Bottom Teeth First

by Trisha O'Hehir, RDH, MS
Hygienetown Editorial Director

Dentists and hygienists provide careful toothbrushing instructions, but something gets in the way of effective brushing at home. In the office, toothbrushing instructions are always done with a dry toothbrush, without toothpaste. At home, on goes not the pea size drop of toothpaste, but instead that of a Dairy Queen swirl. Toothpaste creates so many bubbles which makes patients lean over the sink, drool and daydream while brushing. What seems like three minutes is really closer to 30 seconds, not enough time to effectively remove plaque from all surfaces of all the teeth. The flavoring and wetting agents in the toothpaste actually numb the tongue, tricking people into thinking their teeth are clean long before removing all the plaque.

For these reasons, brushing first without toothpaste will actually result in longer brushing time and more effective plaque removal. Research published in JADA in 1998 confirms this. Patients instructed to dry brush their teeth, beginning on the inside of the bottom teeth first and brushing until the teeth felt and tasted clean throughout before adding toothpaste showed significant benefit after six months. This resulted in a 63 percent reduction in lingual calculus and a 55 percent reduction in lingual bleeding. Despite the many benefits of toothpaste ingredients, toothpaste actually gets in the way of effective plaque removal. What is your observation about patient effectiveness with toothbrushing?

The brushing, flossing and fluoride routine remains the standard preventive message, but recent systematic reviews show it isn't working as well as one would expect. This begs the question, "Is the standard prevention message working?"

Inside This Section
93    Perio Reports
Dentaltown Magazine
April 2024
Dentaltown Magazine April 2024 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie Perks
Townie® Poll
Have you ever switched practice management platforms for your practice?
  
Site Menu
Message Boards Magazine Continuing Education Podcasts Blogs Classifieds News Events Townie® Poll Ebooks Townie Choice Awards
Company Info
Contact Us Advertise With Us Howard Farran DDS, MBA Policies and Agreements
Site Help
Sally Gross, Member Services Specialist
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: sally@farranmedia.com
©2024 Dentaltown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450