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For more on this topic, go to www.dentaleconomics.com and search using the following key words: hygiene exam, professional toothpaste, over-the -ounter toothpaste, oral health, patient compliance, tartar control, Anastasia L. Turchetta.
You have just completed a hygiene exam when the patient asks two common questions - "WHAT TOOTHPASTE DO YOU RECOMMEND?" and "Have you heard of brand X?" Have you asked your patients which toothpaste they use, and compared it to which toothpaste would benefit their current state of oral health?
You may be surprised to learn that most people's choice of toothpaste is based on taste or cost, not oral condition. Although many hygienists' toothpaste recommendations can be found over the counter (OTC), some patients may benefit from a professionally dispensed toothpaste based on their current oral health condition.
Taking into account that most practices receive many toothpaste samples, which they offer to patients, the constant challenge for you and your team is identifying product ingredients, recognizing their purpose, and effectively passing that knowledge on to patients. "Toothpaste Selection 101" will review over-the-counter and professionally applied toothpaste categories that will help your patients maintain optimum oral health. You should discuss patient compliance and prepare your entire team to talk about the differences with confidence.
You may have noticed that OTC toothpastes have increased counter space. Take a walk down the aisle and you will scratch your head in disbelief. Let's begin with the basics. Your patients will recognize toothpaste buzzwords such as anti-cavity, anti-gingivitis, tartar control, sensitivity, oral malodor, whitening, enamel building/remineralization, and dry mouth. Here are the key ingredients:
Anti-cavity toothpastes will likely have sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate at 1,000 to 1,450 ppm for adults. Children's doses should be 500 to 1,000 ppm. Stannous fluoride also provides anti-cavity benefits; however, it is not the most common ingrethent found in OTC toothpastes.
Anti-gingivitis pastes may have a combination of ingredients that are both bactericidal and bacteriostatic. Stannous fluoride, triclosan, cetylpyrindium chloride, chlorine dioxide, and zinc all play a role in reducing or eliminating bacteria associated with gingivitis.
For tartar control, look for tetrasodium pyrophosphate. It may or may not be...