What are the key points for maintaining good dental health?

Key Points for Maintaining Good Dental Health

Brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and maintain effective oral hygiene practices to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. 1, 2

Daily Oral Hygiene Practices

Toothbrushing Fundamentals

• Brush twice daily with fluoride-containing toothpaste as this is the most important measure for maintaining oral health and preventing caries and periodontal diseases 2, 3, 4
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush operated carefully by hand or via an oscillating-rotating or counter-rotational-action electric toothbrush, as these have good evidence for effectiveness 2, 4
• Brush for an adequate duration (typically 2 minutes) to ensure thorough plaque removal 5
• The fluoride in toothpaste is imperative for daily oral hygiene and serves as an important vehicle for anti-caries agents 2, 3

Timing Considerations

• While meticulous brushing once daily can maintain oral health, twice-daily brushing is recommended because most patients cannot achieve sufficient plaque removal with a single session 3
• Brushing after meals helps eliminate food impaction and shortens the duration of sucrose impact on teeth 3
• However, avoid brushing immediately after consuming acidic foods or beverages, as this can damage erosively altered and softened tooth surfaces 3

Interdental Cleaning

• Adults should floss daily as there is good evidence supporting this practice for disease prevention 4
• Wooden interdental cleaners have moderate evidence for recommendation 4
• Interdental brushes may be beneficial but require proper instruction from healthcare professionals for correct use 2

Professional Dental Care

Regular Dental Visits

• Have regular dental examinations to assess the oral cavity and identify problems early 1
• Scaling of disease-active sites should occur every 3-4 months for patients with histories of moderate to severe periodontitis 4
• For most patients without active disease, professional scaling at intervals of 6 months or greater is appropriate based on individual need 4
• Do not undergo subgingival scaling if you have no signs of active disease, as there is good evidence against this practice 4

Pre-Treatment Dental Assessment

• Patients should be educated about oral complications before undergoing cancer treatment or other medical procedures that may affect oral health 1
• Sources of trauma such as sharp edges and ill-fitting dental prostheses should be eliminated 1

Oral Hygiene and Systemic Health

Bacteremia Prevention

• Maintaining good oral hygiene reduces bacteremia associated with poor oral health 1
• Daily activities like chewing and tooth brushing cause bacteremias, likely inducing many more bacteremias than dental procedures 1
• Improvement or maintenance of good oral hygiene may be beneficial in reducing bacteremia, though this is based on indirect evidence 1

Special Populations

• For patients undergoing or recovering from chemotherapy/radiotherapy with sensitive mucosal conditions, use gentle cleaning methods such as gauze pads for teeth, gums, and tongue 2
• Avoid toothpaste containing detergents (sodium lauryl sulfate) and flavoring agents (peppermint, menthol, cinnamon) if you have dry mouth or sensitive mucosa 2
• Consider alcohol-free antimicrobial mouth rinses such as 0.2% chlorhexidine to reduce bacterial load in appropriate clinical situations 6, 7

Dietary Considerations

Foods to Avoid

• Avoid painful stimuli including hot foods and drinks, hard, sharp, or spicy foods, especially if you have oral sensitivity or active dental problems 1, 6, 7
• Limit sticky foods that can damage teeth and dental work 5
• Reduce sugar consumption to prevent tooth decay 5

Supportive Measures

• Use warm saline rinses to promote drainage and reduce inflammation when indicated 6, 7
• Maintain adequate hydration to support oral health 6

Infection Control and Hand Hygiene

Personal Hygiene

• Wash hands before and after oral hygiene activities, as this prevents contamination and maintains cleanliness 1, 8
• For dental healthcare workers, handwashing before glove placement and after glove removal is essential 1, 8

Products and Adjuncts

Recommended Products

• Fluoride gel or rinse can provide additional fluoridation to support dental care 2
• Products containing antiseptics such as chlorhexidine or triclosan reduce bacterial quantity in the mouth 2
• For patients with dry mouth, use mouthwash that moisturizes the oral mucosa 2

Products to Avoid

• Do not use foam brushes, as there is moderate evidence against their effectiveness 4
• Polishing for disease prevention is not recommended based on good evidence 4
• Gingival massage and tongue brushing/scraping have moderate evidence against recommendation for disease prevention 4

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Most patients cannot achieve sufficient plaque removal through home oral hygiene measures alone, which is why twice-daily brushing is recommended rather than the minimum of once daily 3
• Inadequate brushing duration or technique reduces effectiveness of oral hygiene 5
• Failure to maintain regular dental visits can result in undetected oral health problems 1
• Using hard-bristled toothbrushes or aggressive brushing technique can cause mucosal trauma and gingival damage 2