ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION
Oral Health Education provides people of all ages and abilities with the knowledge and skill to understand why tooth decay and gum disease happens, how to prevent it, and how to maintain good oral hygiene.
Oral Health Education provides:
- Dietary advice on what foods and drinks are high in acid, what foods reduce the incidence of caries, when to eat, what to snack on, etc
- Oral health instructions. This includes how to brush, what type of brush to use, the best type of toothpaste for your individual needs, how to floss, how to clean between large gaps, how to clean bridges, dentures and mouth guards; a plaque disclosing test and scoring.
- Those with special needs are provided with additional information and various available aids. Special needs include those with orthodontic appliances, arthritis, physical/intellectual disabilities. Also, carers support and advice is provided.
- Help for parents. It gives support to frazzled parents with children of all ages who are challenging when it comes to brushing their teeth.
- A caries activity screening test in the surgery. This is a saliva test that shows the flow, quality and acidity of the saliva. Saliva has a very important function in the prevention of tooth decay. Also, advice on the many medications that interfere with saliva function.
- An oral anti-bacterial test which is performed in the surgery. It tests for the type of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
- Visits to primary schools to educate and inspire children to have better oral hygiene.