OHE stands for ORAL HEALTH EDUCATION. It’s exactly what it says on the tin!
Why is it important to have an OHE appointment?
Studies have shown that only 1 in 10 people are brushing correctly!
I know this might seem a shock and surprise to many, and you’re probably thinking, I know how to brush my teeth; I’ve been doing it all my life. You may be brushing your teeth twice a day, but many are not brushing effectively. Whether it’s using the wrong technique or simply just not brushing for long enough, this all has a negative impact on the health of our mouth.
An OHE appointment is important because it can educate you, and your family on the up to date national guidelines for better oral health. We are lucky to have 2 fully dedicated Oral Health Educators within our practice, Holly Hennessy and Nadine Solou. Holly and Nadine are both fully trained dental nurses and completed their training for Oral Health Education in 2014 and 2016. They have their own OHE clinics once a week. Having this facility means you and your family are getting the best health care available. As they all say “prevention is better than cure”.
What will happen during my OHE appointment?
Your present, brushing routine will be discussed so that the oral health educator can tailor make a cleaning routine that is going to benefit you and the general health of your mouth.
Your diet will be discussed, also this is to determine the amount of sugar you are currently having. Alternative healthy foods and drinks will also be advised during the appointment.
Effective clinically proven Brushing techniques will be demonstrated either on you the patient or on a mouth model.
Suitable dental aids will be advised depending on your needs. Electric toothbrushes, toothpastes, mouthwashes, tongue cleaners, floss, interdental brushes and educational tools such as disclosing tablets. The aids available are endless.
Cleaning in-between the teeth will be also demonstrated. Cleaning in-between your teeth is just as important as tooth brushing.
A fluoride gel may also be placed on the teeth as a preventative tool against tooth decay if prescribed by your dentist.
Whole support will be given throughout your time at the carillon dental care. Suppose, if the oral health educator feels you require further appointments then this will be discussed with you during your appointment. This will normally be to review how you’re getting on with the advice given and to offer any further support once we know what you may be struggling with.
So take advantage of this service and ask your Dentist about an OHE appointment today.
Here are a few top tips to get you started
1. Smile
To keep a beautiful smile you must brush your teeth last thing at night and least 1 other time during the day. Whether it’s a Manual or Electric toothbrush, the time we spend brushing is imperative. 2 minutes will just not cut it. As OHE’s we advise a minimum of 5 minutes, distributing the time between both upper and lower teeth. Technique is very important and will change dependant on manual or electric. Make sure you are changing your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 2-3 months.
Manual – Angle your toothbrush 45 degrees towards the gum line and use a circular motion. Other techniques can be abrasive to the enamel and will not provide an effective way to remove plaque.
Electric – the beauty of an electric toothbrush is it will do the work for you, all you need to do it angle the head half of the tooth, half on the gum and move to the next tooth surface when required. Easy! Top tip buys a round-headed toothbrush, this will allow you to concentrate on 1 tooth surface at a time.
2. Fluoride is your friend
Always use a toothpaste or mouthwash that has fluoride in it. This makes your teeth more resistant to decay and can even help to kill some of the harmful bacteria in your mouth. Top tip spit out the toothpaste, don’t rinse. This helps to protect the teeth for longer by leaving a thin coating of toothpaste on your teeth. If using a mouthwash, never use after brushing, use a different time during the day, after lunch is a beneficial time to use.
3. Flossy Posse
It is more important to use interdental brushes of floss x2 daily before brushing.
40% of our tooth surfaces are in-between, so if no interdental aids are being used this means you are only cleaning just over half of your mouth. This is 1 of the best preventative method we can advise.
4. Chew sugar-free gum
This is a great trick to help maintain those pearly whites when you’re out and about. The gum gets your mouth to produce saliva, which is the mouth’s natural cleanser. This is ideal after lunch or a snack when you don’t have your trusty toothbrush with you.
5. Treat yourself to a pudding!
We all love something sweet. Don’t torture yourself by never having chocolate ever again. It’s not how much we eat, but how often we have it! To help fight against decay try keeping sugary snacks/drinks to mealtimes only and try not snacking in-between meals instead. Be smart about it and treat yourself just a few times a week and it’ll taste so much sweeter!
6. Healthy body, healthy teeth
Not everyone is aware of this one. If you eat a well-balanced, natural and healthy diet and keep yourself fit you are more likely to have a healthier mouth. Living a “healthier” lifestyle means you are less likely to develop heart disease and diabetes. These two diseases are being heavily linked with gum disease. So a healthy body really can mean a healthier mouth.
7. Visit your dentist regularly
This is a bit of a cliché, for good reason. Our dentists at Carillon, are here to help make sure your mouth is healthy and give you personalised advice on how to keep it healthy. Depending on how healthy your gums and teeth are, the time between check-ups might vary from 3 months to 2 years. Your dentist will recommend how often you need to be seen after your initial examination.
To book your appointment or if you have any questions contact us.