Research shows that only 40 per cent of adults brush their teeth for the recommended two minutes a day, twice a day.Therefore it is no surprise that the overall oral health standards in the UK are slipping. Fifty per cent of people in the West Midlands have been found to only brush their teeth once a day or less; London is not far off with 43 per cent, and though the South East has been deemed the best in oral health, a shockingly low 23 per cent are believed to brush as recommended. Approximately two per cent of the UK population would also only see a dentist if they had bleeding gums.
These statistics are worrying to our country’s overall health. As a dental professional, you will understand and recognise that a bad diet and constant neglect to oral health regimes could lead to conditions such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes. Although it is your patient’s responsibility to look after their own dental health, it is very much your duty as a professional to remind your patients of the reality of bad oral health and suggest ways in which they could reduce the risk of later developing more severe conditions.
The primary area that you should focus on is education. By enlightening your patients on the benefits of an effective oral health routine and using the most effective products, patients will feel more obliged to consider their oral health as an important part of their overall wellbeing.
Another region that patients should be aware of is that of diet and sugar consumption. Although obvious to many, by reminding patients and educating them on the implications a sugary diet could have on their health, you can ensure they have the knowledge of how to adapt and improve their daily routines. Giving your patients information on alternative sweeteners or oral health products, including brand names and an idea of where to purchase such things, can help persuade them to be proactive and make the necessary changes.
In an ideal world patients would take this advice and take charge of their own oral health, but it is often a challenge to persuade patients to cut down on their favourite high-sugared foods, or to add flossing or mouth-rinse to their routines. As a result, it may be time to look at alternative methods or products to help your patients maintain a high standard of dental health.
Xylitol is an ingredient becoming increasingly more popular in confectionary products. It is a white crystalline sugar alcohol with similar characteristics as normal sugar, but with 40 per cent less calories. First discovered in the 1800s by German and French chemists, the sweetener was soon discovered to metabolise in the body without using insulin, and later professionals began to understand and appreciate the impact Xylitol had upon oral health.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from the fibrous parts of plants. It does not break down like sugar and can help keep a neutral pH level in the mouth. The sweetener also prevents bacteria sticking to the teeth. Acid attack that would otherwise last for half an hour is prevented, providing a highly effective alternative to the normal sugary snacks.
Xylitol also exerts an inhibitory on a range of plaque forming bacteria including S.mutans – the bacteria most closely associated with tooth decay. The substance has been clinically proven to reduce plaque levels when used regularly and further research has shown that xylitol also helps re-mineralise and repair damaged enamel. In addition, it is even suitable for both adults and children who are living with diabetes – with a G1 of seven opposed to refined white sugar’s G1 of 85. Xylitol is absorbed by the body much slower than normal sugars and so it has little effect on blood glucose levels.
Xylitol has also been shown to prevent other general health problems. In a series of studies undertaken in Finland, researchers found that 8.4g of xylitol taken orally on a daily basis reduced ear infections by 42 per cent, and 10g of xylitol syrup taken daily reduced ear infections by 30 per cent. The benefits of xylitol are also extended to those with cystic fibrosis, who benefit from its effect on the reduction in the salinity of airway surface liquids.
With the right knowledge and tools, your patients can make a huge difference to their own dental and overall health. By recommending practical and effective adjuncts to your patients’ oral health regimes, you could help them avoid an array of problems in the future.