Oral Health Recommendations You Can Give After Dental Assistant School

Did you know that good dental health contributes to overall wellness? Making health-related resolutions at the start of a new year is common, but they aren’t often focused on oral health. Oral hygiene is important not only because it helps prevent bad breath, tooth decay, and gingivitis, but also because other diseases can be caused by bacteria progressing further into the body from the mouth. Looking after personal oral health also helps parents set a good example for their children.

In pursuing an education in dental assistantship, you can help contribute to the maintenance of your clients’ overall health by recommending resolutions related to oral care. Here are just a few suggestions that you could recommend.

What Brushing Practices Should Clients Follow?

If a client doesn’t already, one important resolution they can make this year is to brush regularly. It’s important for clients to brush their teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes. However, unless they use the proper technique or replace their toothbrush at the right times, then a resolution to brush regularly won’t have the optimal outcome.

Graduates of dental assistant school are well equipped to educate clients on oral hygiene, demonstrating correct toothbrush positioning and brushing motions as well as when to replace toothbrushes, what type of toothpaste to use, and selecting appropriately sized brushes with soft bristles.

Why Is Flossing an Essential Part of Oral Hygiene?

Flossing helps clients reach an entire third of their tooth surface—between their teeth and below their gums that brushing alone doesn’t. It’s in these areas that cavities and gum disease often begin. If plaque and food accumulation aren’t tackled at least once a day with flossing, then gums can begin to recede, and they don’t grow back.

Gums are important for keeping teeth in place, so it’s very crucial to maintain a regular flossing regimen. If you have a client who wants to improve their oral health, you could recommend that they try to add flossing to their daily routine. You can also recommend alternative flossing methods to clients such as water flossers and interdental brushes to help them stick to their resolution.

How Does Diet Affect Oral Health?

Dental diploma training provides education on preventative dentistry and nutrition, preparing graduates to advise clients on food and beverage choices beneficial to maintaining good oral health.

Diet plays an important role in all aspects of health, including oral health. Sugary and acidic products cause the most harm, feeding bacteria and contributing to the damaging acid they already produce. For this reason, encouraging clients to swap out sugary snacks and drinks for ones that have more fiber and calcium can do wonders for oral health.

Why Are Routine Dental Checkups Crucial?

Routine dental visits taking place every six months help prevent oral disease and reveal existing problems in their early stages before they require extensive and expensive treatment. In these initial stages, many dental problems don’t hurt, so clients may not be aware of them.
However, a timely diagnosis can spell out the difference between requiring a filling or a root canal. Oral health also serves as an indicator of bodily health and can give early clues to major health problems such as diabetes. Full knowledge about the benefits of routine checkups can encourage clients to remember to book routine appointments and stay healthy in the new year.

Are you interested in completing dental assistant training taught by experienced industry experts?

Explore Anderson College’s dental assistant programs.

FAQs About Oral Health and Hygiene

Q1: Can a dental assistant clean teeth?

Dental assistants cannot perform professional cleanings, but they can provide oral hygiene instruction, brushing demos, and patient education.

Q2: What are some simple oral hygiene tips?

Brush twice daily for 2 minutes, floss once daily, replace toothbrushes every 3 months, and visit the dentist every 6 months.

Q3: What is the dental code for oral hygiene instruction?

The oral hygiene instruction dental code in Canada is often 13201, though it can vary depending on province and insurance provider.

Q4: Why is flossing necessary if I brush daily?

Brushing covers most surfaces, but flossing removes plaque and food between teeth where brushing cannot reach.

Q5: How can dental assistants motivate clients to stick to oral health habits?

By explaining long-term benefits, demonstrating correct techniques, and suggesting easy alternatives like water flossers