As you know, to maintain oral health, a basic oral hygiene routine consisting of twice daily brushing and once daily interdental cleaning should be carried out. This ensures the regular removal of plaque and helps to prevent the development of cavities and gum disease. While dental professionals are used to providing this oral hygiene advice to all of their patients, for some, carrying out these routine tasks may be challenging. Because of this, it is important to understand what factors might impact a patient’s ability to clean their teeth, and how you might help.
Overcoming difficulties with oral hygiene
According to a study from the Oral Health Foundation, in the UK, an estimated 57 per cent of people registered as disabled have mobility impairments and around 28 per cent have dexterity issues. For some people, this might mean that moving their arms and hands is challenging, therefore making cleaning the teeth properly very difficult. This is a problem as, for a thorough clean, it is important to reach all areas of the mouth.
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