Oral Hygiene Education .ppt, download PowerPoint slide on oral Hygiene Education

The inability of public health to address a ‘client’, ‘participant’, ‘patient’, ‘partner’, etc., as a whole person has created a situation where the long-term advantages of any behavioral intervention are questionable. True, lasting behavioral change is a long process that entails a significant change in the perspective of self and the world (reality). — Stephan Adelson, IRMA Posting, 30/11/2010.

Introduction

The bulk of dental disease in children is related to dental caries and periodontal disease. These are preventable diseases, thus there should be increased emphasis on prevention. A successful prevention program hinges on effective communication that allows for patient participation in self-care. Such motivation depends on providing factual information to patients on which their attitudes and practices are based.

Importance of Comprehensive Prevention

The prevention of a multifactorial disease should never rely on eliminating only one of the etiological factors. Oral hygiene education focuses on effective plaque control within the context of the child’s situation. Such control is crucial in both caries and periodontal disease prevention and management.

Plaque

Removal of plaque should be the primary focus of preventive programs, concentrating on methods and techniques for plaque removal. The dentist should also help motivate the patient to participate in self-care, which can be difficult and challenging.

Oral Hygiene Education and Patient Motivation

The first step in patient motivation is to engage them in active involvement in self-care, ultimately leading to a daily habit. Knowledge alone does not guarantee attitudinal change; behavioral outcomes are used to assess motivational approaches.

Patient Motivation

It is important to note that:

Patient education may improve oral hygiene for only a short period.
Regression to baseline occurs as time after instruction increases.
One teaching session will not drastically change performance.
Disclosing materials will motivate only for a few weeks.
Closely supervised teaching over multiple visits reinforces and produces the best results.

Factors Influencing Patient Motivation

Educator’s attitude
Educator’s instructional approach
Timing of message: Pre-natal and infant care produces effective results; pre-treatment educational approaches may be less efficient.

Educational Aids

Visual aids
Take-home leaflets
Disclosing solution
Dietary analysis (food diary)

Toothbrushing

Toothbrushing is the most popular device for maintaining oral hygiene, whether using a toothbrush or chewing stick.

Toothbrush: Small head, medium texture, nylon bristle, multi-tufted.

When to Start Toothbrushing for Children

Technique: Diligence is emphasized, focusing on style, hand use, parental guidance, duration, and timing. Teach a technique that is most comfortable for the child. Before age 9, children generally use the horizontal technique and may lack the cognitive ability and dexterity for effective brushing. Parents should assist during this period.

Toothbrushing Instructions

Brush at least twice a day, ideally after meals (including after breakfast and liquid medications).
Oral cleaning begins from birth, using a gauze pad or wet cloth.
Once the first tooth erupts, switch to age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste.

Continued Instructions

Guardian should brush the child’s teeth until age 4, with supervision between ages 5-8. Children can brush independently thereafter.
Commonly adopted brushing technique is the scrub technique, which is appropriate as long as all teeth surfaces are covered. Don’t neglect the tongue.

Technique Adjustments

Brushing technique should evolve with the eruption of permanent teeth to incorporate effective, recommended methods. Scrubbing is not recommended at this stage.
Brushing should last about 1-2 minutes.
The toothbrush should cover at least 3 anterior teeth or 2 posterior teeth with each cleaning stroke, and be replaced once the bristles become bent.

Fluoride Considerations

Toothbrushing should be performed using fluoride-containing toothpaste, adjusted for age. For younger children, a smear is appropriate, while older children can handle a pea-sized amount. Rinsing immediately after brushing should be avoided.

Scaling and Polishing

For children, the emphasis is on plaque removal using non-abrasive fluoride paste. A toothbrush prophylaxis is recommended, avoiding abrasives that may remove enamel, which is crucial for smooth surface caries prevention.

Note: The role of tooth cleansing to reduce caries should not be overstated, as it is more effective against periodontal disease control.

Flossing

Brushing alone cleans smooth surfaces, while floss is necessary for interproximal cleaning. Unwaxed floss generally removes plaque better but waxed floss is preferable for rough restorations. Use floss holders as children learn to use floss effectively.

Flossing Guidelines

For preschoolers, flossing may not be necessary; it should resume as contact between teeth develops, generally above age 9. Training is crucial, and supervised school flossing programs have been shown to reduce caries incidence.

Oral Irrigation

While not effective for plaque removal, oral irrigation can help eliminate large food debris and is recommended for children with orthodontic appliances. It should be a supplement, not a substitute, for oral cleaning.

Chemotherapeutic Agents

These focus on plaque inhibition and can be bacteriostatic or bacteriocidal. However, their effects are often short-term, and long-term use may lead to resistant strains or mucosal issues (e.g., chlorhexidine).

Dietary Modification

This can be challenging, influenced by individual preferences, tradition, past experiences, and social factors. Engaging children and parents in dietary analysis using charts can be a productive approach. Stress reducing sucrose intake between meals and informing patients about tooth decay processes are also beneficial.

Conclusion

Preserving dental arch function and health is vital in enhancing mastication, aesthetics, and speech while preventing psychological problems associated with tooth loss in child patients. Effective oral hygiene education and motivations through comprehensive programs and proper techniques can lead to better outcomes for children’s oral health.