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All mouth

 

Sarah Cohen reveals the most common oral care mistakes customers make, and explains how to better educate and advise them in order to improve their dental health and hygiene

 

There is much more to oral care than simply brushing your teeth; a thorough and consistent routine needs to be established in order for customers to maintain good oral health. However, with most habits learnt in childhood and dentist visits often fewer and farther between than the recommended six-monthly check-ups, teeth are easily neglected. This, combined with the huge and often overwhelming market for oral health products, means that you are likely be relied upon as a valuable source of knowledge in all areas of dental care. Understanding the most common mistakes that your customer may be making in their daily routine is the first step to helping them to keep their teeth and gums healthy.

Brushing incorrectly

“Not brushing for two minutes is the most common mistake people make,” says Jessica Hulme, dental hygienist and therapist and Professional Relations Manager for Philips Oral Healthcare. “In reality, people brush for more like 30 seconds.” This can lead to plaque build-up and subsequent gum disease. Hulme recommends advising customers to use an electric toothbrush with a built-in two minute timer to rectify the problem. “This will ensure users are consistently getting a full clean,” she explains.

Using the wrong toothbrush and technique can also lead to problems like sensitivity or damage to tooth enamel. Scrubbing too hard is a problem found among customers of all ages. “This not only means the brushing is not effective and the toothbrush wears out quickly, but it can also cause lasting damage to teeth and gums by wearing them away over time. Using an electric brush with a pressure sensor can help correct this by allowing effective brushing with light pressure and minimal movement,” says Hulme.

Using the wrong toothpaste

Choosing the incorrect formula for specific needs can lead to problems, especially for those with sensitive teeth. “Some toothpastes are too abrasive and can cause long-term damage to the teeth, which could be a problem for a patient who has thin enamel,” says Flora Chigwedere, principle dentist at Covent Garden Dental Spa, who advises that these customers should avoid formulas that feel gritty between the fingers. Chigwedere also suggests recommending toothpastes containing fluoride in order to prevent tooth decay: “Some toothpastes don’t contain fluoride, which could be a problem for patients with tooth decay, a fluoride helps to prevent future decay.” Hulme adds: “For adults, the fluoride level (which can be found on the back of the toothpaste) should be over 1350 ppm.”

If customers have additional needs like sensitivity, they should opt for a targeted formula; for example, sensitive toothpastes have additional ingredients to help combat the problem by providing an extra level of protection on the teeth. For customers who are sensitive to toothpaste or prone to skin reactions, Hulme recommends avoiding toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which can cause reactions, such as ulcers.

Using mouthwash straight after brushing

Mouthwash is often used after brushing to rinse away any remaining debris or further freshen the breath, but it should actually be used at a separate time to avoid washing away the fluoride left on teeth from toothpaste. Celebrity dentist Dr. Richard Marques advises: “It’s best to use a mouthwash half an hour after brushing, so that it leaves time for the toothpaste to settle in.” Some mouthwash can actually exacerbate bad breath, explains internationally renowned dentist and bacteriologist Dr. Harold Katz: “The problem with using a mouthwash straight after brushing applies to alcohol-based mouthwashes. This is because alcohol is a drying agent and finishing off your oral hygiene procedures with a drying agent can create an oral environment that welcomes bad breath bacteria. A moist mouth is healthier because it allows beneficial saliva to protect your mouth throughout the day. That’s why it’s much wiser to rinse with an oxygenating mouthwash, which helps stimulate more saliva.”

Failing to floss correctly

Flossing incorrectly or not flossing at all are both no-no’s when it comes to fighting gum disease. “40% of the tooth surfaces are hidden in between teeth, meaning you are only cleaning 60% by brushing alone,” warns Hulme. “The bacteria left between the teeth can cause decay and gum disease.” For customers who do floss daily as recommended, their technique may be letting them down. “Some people ‘snap’ floss through the naturally tight contact points and onto the gums, which can be painful,” explains Dr. Nigel Hargreaves, Dental Surgeon at The Old Spire. “They should glide the floss gently backwards and forwards through the tight areas and take it gently below the gum level to remove the plaque forming.” Another method of cleaning between teeth is with interdental brushes. “These fit in the gaps below the contact points, and come in a variety of sizes. As a rule of thumb, the largest that will fit snugly in the gap should be used to remove the maximum amount of plaque,” says Hargreaves.

Neglecting the tongue

Dental experts agree that the tongue is one of the most neglected areas, which can lead to tooth decay and halitosis due to a build up of bacteria. “The tongue is a strong indicator of the state of oral health. In general, the pinker and shinier it looks, the fresher your breath, and the better your oral health,” says Dr Katz. Some toothbrushes include a tongue cleaner on the back of the head, while separate tongue cleaning devices are also available.

 

Promoting a healthy regime

The dental routine that you recommend to customers should ensure optimum oral health. Be sure to advise customers on the following:

Brushing

Selling points: Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes is essential to fight tooth decay and gum disease. It’s important to take the time to find the right brush and toothpaste for the customer’s needs.

Trending: The Sonicare App (available from Google Play App Store) connects to the Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected toothbrush via Bluetooth to allow users to monitor their routine and brushing technique, with built-in sensors that flag up areas they are missing and if they are brushing too hard or fast.

Mouthwash

Selling points: Using a mouthwash containing fluoride at least half an hour after brushing helps to fight tooth decay and freshen breath.

Trending: The Breath Company Dry Mouth Rinse (RRP £14) is the first dry mouth rinse clinically proven to control and soothe dry mouth conditions without alcohol or staining compounds.

Interdental cleaning

Selling points: Flossing at least once a day helps remove plaque and food build up often missed by brushing alone.

Trending: Dentek Sensitive Extra Gentle Floss Picks (RRP £6) are ideal for those with sensitive gums.

Tongue cleaning

Selling points: Encourage customers to gently use a tongue scraper after brushing teeth twice a day for a more thorough cleanse.

Trending: Philips Tongue Care+ with its accompanying antibacterial spray (RRP £17.50) can be used with any Philips Sonicare toothbrush, and claims to eliminate 99% of bad breath.

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