Oral hygiene faux pas: are your patients guilty?

Generally, oral health literacy has improved dramatically over the years, thanks to many government incentives and scientific progress. Most patients will recognise the steps they need to take in order to protect their oral cavity from disease. But, no doubt due to the influences of social media or well-meaning family and friends, there are some oral hygiene faux pas that are still prevalent among the population.

Is ‘free’ always better?

The market has seen an increase in dentifrices that are marketed as ‘fluoride-free’ and ‘natural’. There has long been a debate about fluoride, and it’s supposed risks to human health. Despite this, there is an abundance of evidence that supports the efficacy of fluoride as a preventative measure against oral disease. While a proper oral hygiene routine is the gold standard method of keeping oral complications at bay, research has shown that fluoridation can help to reduce tooth decay in children. A recent report estimated that, “In the most deprived 20 per cent of areas [of the UK], the chance of five-year-old children having cavities was 25 per cent lower in areas with a fluoridation scheme than in areas without”.