Booklet. Oregon Chemeketa Dental Hygiene Class of 2014

Transcription

1 Oral Health Booklet Awareness Oregon Chemeketa Dental Hygiene Class of 2014 Imagination, ingenuity, flexibility, and persistence are necessary for those involved in treating people with disabilities. ~Esther M. Wilkins, RDH Table of Contents I. Healthy Mouth Healthy Body 4

2 II. A Healthy Mouth 5 III. Plaque vs Calculus 6 IV. Oral Exam 8 V. Oral Lesions 9 I. Helpful Cleaning Aids 12Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body The mouth is a window into the health of the body. It can show sings of nutritional deficiencies or general infections. The mouth is filled with countless bacteria, some linked to tooth decay and gum disease. Research has been done that links gum disease to heart disease, diabetes, smoking, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies. Here is the link to the video that was shown during your monthly meeting. 2

3 II. Healthy Mouth A normal adult mouth has 32 teeth when all molars are present. Adults have 28 teeth because the majority of people don t have wisdom teeth (3rd molars) due to them being removed or not being present at all. Gum tissues do NOT bleed under normal conditions. It is proven that a healthy mouth helps reduce your risk for getting other diseases. A healthy mouth will have these characteristics. Gums will not be puffy Will not have loose teeth Gums will not hurt Will have minimal odor A healthy tongue is Gums will not bleed free of discolorations 3

4 III. and sorenessplaque vs Calculus Plaque = formed by colonizing bacteria trying to attach themselves to the tooth s smooth surface; can be above or below the gums Plaque is easily removed with brushing Calculus = mineralized dental plaque; forms on natural teeth; can be above or below the Outside t gums Calculus must be removed by a dental professional 4

5 Calculus/plaque formation occurs in three steps: Step 1: Slime Layer Initial Plaque Formation Forms within minutes after a cleaning or brushing your teeth Step 2: Plaque Formation Bacteria attaches to the slime layer on the tooth surface Bacteria colonies start to form and grow Step 3: Mineralization Calculus Formation Starts 1-3 days after plaque formation IV. As plaque ages it hardens and forms calculusoral Exam Inside the mouth what to look for: White lesions Angular cheilitis Xerostomia Abscesses Thrush Fiery red gums 5

6 A careful overall exam can help you to identify problems within the mouth before they become a larger problem. A normal lesion will usually go away within two weeks, if it doesn t contact the primary dentist. We suggest doing this before you brush the residents teeth. Take a quick look around the outside of the mouth at the face and neck. Then look inside their mouth for any possible signs of disease. V. Oral Lesions Abscess a localized collection of pus due to an infection this has to be treated by a dentist with antibiotics usually 6

7 Gingivitis inflammation of the gums usually caused by biofilm and calculus along the gum line Thrush fungal infection of yeast fungi most common infection of oral tissues this must be treated with anti-fungal rinse or lozenges, contact dentist Dry Mouth dry of the tissues in the mouth can be treated with OTC products (Biotine) most commonly caused by medications 7

8 Angular Cheilitis cracks, ulcerations at the corners of the mouth can be caused by vitamin B deficiency (riboflavin) treated with anti-fungal creams Oral Herpes/Cold Sores viral infection can be found on the tongue, cheeks, and most common on the lips you should go see the doctor or dentist if you find this to get medicine VERY CONTAGIOUS 3 phases; wait until the last phase when it is crusted over VI. L-lysine is a good vitamin to take to prevent themhelpful Cleaning Aids 8

9 These cleaning aids will be better for somebody that is able to brush well on their own and is independent and doesn t rely on the caregiver for assistance. End Tuft Brush can be used to clean around partial dentures, crowns, crowded teeth, difficult to reach areas Reach Flosser used to clean in between teeth for individuals that have a hard time using regular dental floss Rubber Tip Stimulator used to remove plaque and stimulate the gums, for people that don t like floss or toothpicks Proxy Brushes for people that have large gaps or spaces between their teeth Stimudent used like a tooth pick to remove plaque; make sure the flat part is towards the gum line; moisten with spit before use 9

10 Floss used to clean the plaque off the teeth in between the teeth; press floss firmly against each tooth before removing floss and going to the next space 10