Hints & Tips

Heres a selection of hints and tips sent in by our readers with comments/advice added by Ruth Lovering.  We hope they prove of interest and look forward to sharing more with you in the future.

Share your hints & tips.

Problem - Everyone should brush their teeth twice a day and the night time brush is the most important one.  Too tired to do a thorough brush at bedtime? 

Tip - Instead of waiting until they go to bed, encourage patients to choose a time during the evening when they know they are finished eating and drinking and then give their teeth a thorough clean. That way they know that all their teeth have been properly cleaned and not the quick brush they get when your patients are too tired and want to go to bed!

Problem - Struggling to get into a routine for flossing?

Tip - Get your patients to set themselves small goals and then move on.

The front 6 teeth are the easiest to see and clean interdentally.  Start with them for a week then move to the top or bottom on the left. Do this for another week then complete
the left side for the 3rd week. Then start on the right using the same principles and by week 5 you should be cleaning your whole mouth with ease!

Obviously if your patients are left handed, swap and get them to do the right side first as this will be easier. Perhaps tell patients to start with every other day and choose days when they know they are not going to have very late nights, as it will never be done.

Problem - People not brushing their teeth for long enough

Tip - Simply ask patients to brush for a WHOLE 2 MINUTES

Ruth's comments - We had several suggestions along these lines.  Another was to ask young patients to put on a favourite music track and use that to time brushing.  The other option would be to have the radio playing music in the bathroom and brush for an entire song or alternatively to use an egg timer.

For a guide to correct toothbrushing technique, click here.

Problem - Patients with neck problems are uncomfortable in the chair.

Tip - For patients with neck problems, use a neck support pillow to make them more relaxed/comfortable.

Ruth's comments - Great idea. However, with the possibility of cross infection, I would suggest that patients bring their own support pillow along to their appointment.

Problem - Patients not brushing correctly and missing plaque build ups.

Tip -  I use mirrors and disclosing agents so that patients can see where plaque is.  This aids education and motivation.

Ruth's comments - Another good idea.  An alternative that is fun for kids and cheaper would be to use food colouring instead.  Just don’t forget to put Vaseline on their lips first!

Problem ­ Bleeding gums

Tip -  If the gingiva is bleeding, ask the patient to floss twice a day and once a day if not

Ruth’s comments -  A good idea but I would only recommend this once I had established that the patient is using the correct toothbrushing technique.

For a guide to correct toothbrushing technique, click here.

Problem ­ Poor toothbrushing, interdental or flossing technique

Tip - I always use pictures and show patients oral hygiene techniques using models

Ruth’s comments -  Another great idea. And once you’ve shown the technique in pictures and on a model, you can demonstrate on the patient.

Click here for a guide to correct toothbrushing technique.

Problem ­ Ineffective cleaning

Tip -  Improvement in interdental cleaning will occur when patients wear their specs

Ruth’s comments - Also, it may sound obvious but always use a mirror to see what you are doing.

   If there's something you do in the course of your daily routine that helps in encouraging good oral hygiene, perhaps in the form of patient advice or the way you work, share it with us.

Share your hints & tips.