The impact of limited mobility and dexterity on oral health
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 22nd November 2023
As you know, to maintain oral health, a basic oral hygiene routine consisting of twice daily brushing and once daily interdental cleaning should be carried out. This ensures the regular removal of plaque and helps to prevent the development of cavities and gum disease. While dental professionals are used to providing this oral hygiene advice to all of their patients, for some, carrying out these routine tasks may be a challenge. Because of this, it is important to understand what factors might impact a patient’s ability to clean their teeth, and how you might help.
Overcoming difficulties with oral hygiene
According to a study from the Oral Health Foundation,[i] in the UK, an estimated 57% of people registered as disabled have mobility impairments, and around 28% have dexterity issues. For some people, this might mean that moving their arms and hands is challenging, therefore making cleaning the teeth properly very difficult. This is a problem as, for a thorough clean, it is important to reach all areas of the mouth.
Some patients may find it difficult to use manual toothbrushes, with many finding electric toothbrushes to be a useful alternative. This allows patients with limited dexterity to clean their teeth independently, without needing to carry out every motion needed when using a manual toothbrush.[ii] As such, patients are able to effectively remove plaque, and improve their situation – reducing the likelihood of oral disease development.
However, even electric toothbrushes are unable to adequately reach the interdental spaces. Interdental cleaning is essential, as it removes any plaque and food debris between the teeth. Many patients struggle to effectively clean in-between their teeth using traditional tools such as dental floss. Because of this, it is important to tailor your advice based on the unique needs of each patient.
How dental professionals can help
Research conducted by Public Health England[iii] suggests that levels of untreated tooth decay are higher for patients who have disabilities than those who do not. As such, it is important to monitor patients who may struggle to carry out effective oral hygiene routines at home closely, to help prevent the development of disease. Communication is essential, enabling you to accurately ascertain the needs of each person, and understand which areas they’re struggling with.ii For some patients, this might mean more regular dental hygiene appointments to thoroughly remove all plaque. The dental team should also ensure that patients who find oral hygiene challenging attend their regular check-ups to monitor for disease.
If a patient attends appointments with a carer or family member, be sure that they understand the best ways to help with oral hygiene. If the patient is unable to use their arms or hands properly, they are likely to need more assistance, and this may mean advising that their carer brushes their teeth for them.i
Tailored oral hygiene advice
As interdental cleaning can be a particular challenge for people who have mobility and dexterity problems, it is important to recommend alternatives to these patients, to ensure that they are able to keep on top of their oral hygiene as much as possible.
Interdental brushes are much easier to use than dental floss. Patients won’t need to wrap floss around their fingers and manoeuvre their fingers inside their mouths to achieve an effective clean. Instead, interdental brushes feature a handle which patients can grip on to, and a small brush which is designed to fit comfortably into each interdental space.
The FLEXI range of interdental brushes from TANDEX is a fantastic option. Each product’s handle is flexible, and the brush can be bent into the perfect shape to clean in between the back teeth. Available in 11 different sizes, you are able to find the correct solutions for each patient, for a comfortable and effective clean. Additionally, FLEXIMax features an ergonomic handle for an even easier clean. Plus, FLEXI brushes can be used to easily apply PREVENT GEL, which contains 0.12% chlorhexidine and 900 ppm fluoride for antibacterial and enamel strengthening properties.
Effective oral hygiene is crucial for maintaining a healthy mouth. As such, ensuring that patients who have issues with dexterity or mobility receive the best advice is very important. Tailor oral hygiene plans to the individual, and assess whether they would benefit from regular hygiene sessions to minimise the risk of disease. Additionally, recommend the best tools for them as, for many patients, string floss is not the best option for interdental cleaning. By creating a unique plan, your patients will be able to carry out sufficient oral hygiene, and maintain their oral health.
For more information on Tandex’s range of products,
visit https://tandex.dk/ or visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TandexUK
Our products are also available from CTS Dental Supplies https://www.cts-dental.com/ and DHB Oral Healthcare https://dhb.co.uk/
Author Kimberley Lloyd- Rees on behalf of Tandex
Kimberley graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2010, where she now works as a clinical tutor in Dental Hygiene and Therapy as well as working in practice. She has spent her career working across a variety of specialist private and mixed dental practices, for the MOD and volunteering her time to a dental charity in Nepal.
[i] Oral Health Foundation. Oral health and physical disabilities. https://www.dentalhealth.org/oral-health-and-physical-disabilities
[ii] Dental Nursing. Better care for all. Accessed August 2023. https://www.dental-nursing.co.uk/features/better-care-for-all
[iii] Public Health England. Oral care and people with learning disabilities. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oral-care-and-people-with-learning-disabilities/oral-care-and-people-with-learning-disabilities
