Oral Hygiene Aids

Definition

Oral hygiene aids are the tools used in the mouth to remove food residue and plaque, a bacterial film that causes tooth decay (dental caries), periodontal disease, and halitosis (bad breath).

Bacterial plaque must be removed daily. The toothbrush and dental floss are the primary oral hygiene aids for this process. The toothbrush is a brush used to clean the teeth by removing plaque from the teeth and stimulating the gums. Dental floss is thin, thread-like material used to clean the areas between teeth and under the gum line. A dental toothpick may be used to clean between teeth.

Also used in conjunction with mouth care are toothpaste and mouthwash. Toothpaste is a preparation used on the toothbrush to clean teeth. Some of the ingredients of toothpaste are as follows:

• polishing agents that aid in cleaning
• fluoride, to prevent dental caries
• antitartar agents, to prevent buildup of calculus
• antiplaque/antigingivitis agents, to control plaque and gingivitis
• whiteners, to remove dental stains
• sensitivity agents, to decrease sensitivity to heat, cold, and sweets

Mouthwash is a liquid product that patients gargle or use as a rinse to fight bacteria. It is used to control:

• halitosis
• plaque
• gingivitis
• tartar and calculus

Most mouthwashes contain fluoride, which helps to control caries.

Purpose

Oral hygiene aids such as the toothbrush, dental floss, mouthwash, and toothpicks are used in the daily battle against germs that live in the mouth. Plaque is formed when bacteria in the mouth feed on the food residue—particularly sugar residue—and dead epithelial cells (the covering of internal and external body surfaces). Depending on the bacterial pathogen present in the plaque, plaque can cause tooth decay or periodontal disease. When periodontal disease is not treated, it can lead to the loss of teeth when the supporting tissue that keeps teeth in the jaw is destroyed.

Although oral hygiene aids date back thousands of years, many people don't correctly use preventive tools like toothbrushes and interdental aids. In the United States, one-third of people in all age groups have untreated tooth decay, according to Oral Health 2000, the United States Surgeon General's report from May 2000. By age 17, 78% of youths have a cavity and 7% have lost at least one tooth, according to the report by Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D.. His report also stated that 48% of adults between the age of 35 and 44 suffer from gingivitis.