Dentaltown July 2014 - (Page 145)

hygiene and prevention perio reports More Interest in Fresh Breath than Oral Health Despite scientific evidence to prevent both caries and periodontal disease, the incidence remains high. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, 47 percent of Americans have some form of periodontal disease. Dental hygienists focus on the importance of oral health as they provide regular oral hygiene instructions. In spite of repeated instructions, the incidence of periodontal disease, even in clinical practice, remains high. Repackaging of the oral hygiene message was undertaken by an RDH to determine if using an emotional hook was more effective than focusing on science and logic. Patients are not generally motivated to prevent periodontal disease, but they spend over $3 billion dollars on mouth rinse each year. The majority of patients do not floss or clean between their teeth on a daily basis. For this study, 60 patients participated. When asked if they wanted information to prevent periodontal disease to have fresh breath, 78 percent chose fresh breath over oral health. When information was presented about cleaning between the teeth, with a variety of interdental tools, patients were receptive when it was linked to having fresher breath. Surprisingly, patients had little understanding of the oral or systemic link and did not understand the role bacteria play in the mouth. Switching from the scientific educational approach about periodontal disease, bleeding gums and tooth loss to providing patients with ways to keep their breath clean all day resulted in better compliance with daily interdental cleaning. The end result was the same: good oral health; but the motivation was fresh breath, not oral health. Perio Reports Vol. 26, No. 7 Perio Reports provides easy-to-read research summaries on topics of specific interest to clinicians. Perio Reports research summaries will be included in each issue to keep you on the cutting edge of dental hygiene science. Clinical Implications: Linking interdental cleaning with fresh breath leads to better patient compliance with daily oral hygiene. ■ LaDolce-O'Brien, D.: By Altering My Oral Hygiene Presentation, Will My Patients be More Receptive to Improving Their Oral Health? OHU Action Research 10A-13, 2014. www.hygienetown.com Cochrane Review of Triclosan/Copolymer Toothpaste: Colgate Total The Cochrane Collaboration reviewed 30 research studies to determine the long-term benefits of Colgate Total toothpaste compared to a standard fluoride toothpaste. Only randomized, controlled trials were included in the review. A total of 14,835 subjects were included in the 30 published research papers reviewed for this report. Plaque measurements were compared in most studies after six months. Colgate Total, the only triclosan/copolymer toothpaste tested, showed a 0.5 reduction in plaque using a plaque score of zero to five. This was determined to represent a 22 percent reduction in plaque compared to the fluoride toothpaste group. After six to nine months, gingivitis scores were reduced by 0.3 in the Total group for scores of zero to three. This also represented a 22 percent reduction compared to the fluoride toothpaste group. Regarding periodontitis, no difference was seen between the Colgate Total toothpaste and the fluoride toothpaste for attachment loss figures after three years of use. For caries incidence, there was a slight reduction in the Colgate Total group, with five percent fewer decayed, missing and filled surfaces (DMFS) after 24 to 36 months. Adverse effects were not specifically evaluated, but 22 of the 30 studies reported no adverse effects caused by either toothpaste. The clinical relevance of these findings was not determined for this review paper. Clinical Implications: Colgate Total toothpaste containing triclosan, a copolymer and fluoride appears to be safe and effective. ■ Riley, P., Lamont, T.: Triclosan/Copolymer Containing Toothpastes for Oral Health. The Cochrane Library Published Online, 5, Dec, 2013. continued on page 146 dentaltown.com « JULY 2014 145 http://www.hygienetown.com http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown July 2014

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Why Two Out of Three Cavities Go Untreated
Professional Courtesy: Appsolutely Amazing
Continuing Education Update
Ethical Dilemma: Don’t Underestimate the Embezzler
Money Versus Doctor
Full Arch Reconstruction
New Technique Ideas Please!
What is Normal in Terms of Transition from One Dentist to Another?
Open Sinus Lift
Look Before You Leap: Lessons from the Field
A Tale of Inherited Problems
Retire in Practice
You Should Know: Diashine
Townie Choice Awards Product Showcase
Product/Service Extras
Dentaltown Research: Periodontics, Product/Service Extra
Continuing Education: Oral Cancer in the Dental Office
What’s on Your Tray?
Ad Index
Product Profile: Synergy Dental Partners
Perio Reports
Perio Program Series—Step 3: Create a Plan
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown July 2014