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Improving oral health: current considerations
1School of Dental Medicine, University of Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. ciancio@buffalo.edu
Journal of Clinical Periodontology
|June 6, 2003
Summary
Improving adult oral hygiene is crucial for preventing periodontal disease. Effective plaque control, combining brushing, flossing, and mouthwash, is key to retaining teeth long-term.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry and Oral Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Periodontal disease is highly prevalent in Western adults, indicating suboptimal routine dental care.
- The progressive nature of the disease necessitates improved oral cleanliness for long-term tooth retention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of effective plaque control in minimizing periodontal disease.
- To address the challenges of inadequate home-care routines and compliance issues in adults.
Main Methods:
- Review of data on periodontal disease incidence and contributing factors.
- Analysis of the effectiveness of combined oral hygiene practices (brushing, interdental cleaning, chemotherapeutic agents).
Main Results:
- Periodontal disease can be significantly minimized through effective plaque control strategies.
- Most adults exhibit inadequate home-care routines, including insufficient brushing and flossing.
- Compliance with oral hygiene practices deteriorates over time, even with regular brushing and flossing.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced oral cleanliness is mandatory for adults to maintain their teeth into old age.
- A combination of mechanical and chemotherapeutic plaque control methods is beneficial.
- The primary challenge for dental professionals is to improve patient compliance with recommended oral hygiene practices.