Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
The function of the mouth affects the entire body, including the digestion process and the formation of speech. Many people have heard from a very young age that it is important to brush twice a day and floss at least once a day, whether it is from our parents, dentists, or some sort of media. A variety of sources claim that the regular use of mouthwash, swishing of certain oils in the mouth, or a plethora of other dental hygiene tips are just as integral to your health. Still, it is not always clearly explained why these specific routines are so important or how the absence of them could affect the mouth. Many people also hear the words “plaque”, “gingivitis”, and “cavities” but are not really sure what they are or why they are bad.
All of this information can be particularly difficult to effectively convey to children or some adults that may have been caring for their dental health in a different way for the majority of their lives. However, the below study shows that learning is a good first step to work towards forming positive habits to care for their dental health. A research study from the Journal of Clinical Dentistry in 2004 looked into the effect of a dental educational program focusing on gingival health and dental hygiene of members of a Boys and Girls Club in Chicago, Illinois. The children, ages six to fifteen, were evaluated over a four week period. The dental hygiene of the students was assessed using a questionnaire, the amount of bleeding sites caused by gingivitis, and the amount of plaque on the teeth. Over these four weeks, there was a 20% reduction in bleeding sites, a 3% reduction in plaque on the teeth, and a 32% increase on correct questionnaire answers compared to the baseline measurements. The results of this study point to the positive, tangible effects of additional education on dental health over a short period of time.
A Breakdown of Gingivitis and Another Effect of Plaque
Two very common dental ailments related to excessive plaque buildup are gingivitis and caries. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums due to the accumulation of plaque in the gingival sulcus, or the space between the gum and the tooth. In other words, swelling and pain around the areas of the gum surrounding the tooth. The plaque that causes the inflammatory response also stimulates the release of many types of defense cells that can release destructive enzymes that can injure the gums or gingival tissue. Without treatment, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, or “severely receding gums and deep pockets between teeth” (Curatola 2023) as well as bone or tooth loss. This can be prevented by hygiene measures to remove excess plaque, such as regular brushing and flossing.
Cavities, or the bacteria that has eroded into the tooth have the potential into full-blown caries if left untreated for too long. Caries is a mouth disease that can cause tooth decay and possible loss of teeth. Naturally, teeth have a protective protein coating that is constantly being repaired by components in saliva. When there is an excess of starch or sugar in the mouth, or excessive plaque is allowed to stay in the mouth for long periods of time, the pH is lowered due to the acids given off by the plaque bacteria and the chemical components of starch and sugar. This can be difficult to balance from saliva alone, and can result in tooth damage that must be treated by a dental professional. There are other factors such as smoking and exposure to radiation that may encourage the progression of caries, but the main causes tend to be overconsumption of sugary and starchy foods combined with a lack of comprehensive plaque removal at home.
What Can Be Done at Home?
To improve dental health and avoid unnecessary trips to the dentist, there are a few simple routines to follow. The first and probably most important, especially if it is the only thing being done, is brushing. In a twelve-week study from The Journal of Dental Hygiene, different combinations of dental hygiene methods are studied in regards to the effectiveness in reduction of plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding of the gums. There were four groups: BO (thoroughly brushing twice a day only), BR (brush and rinse with a mouth rinse made of a fixed combination of four essential oils), BF (brush and floss), or BFR (brush, floss, and rinse). All groups showed reductions in plaque, gingivitis and bleeding, but were most significantly reduced in the BR group (35.8%, 50.8%, and 71.0% respectively) and the BFR group (32.8%, 54.1%, and 78.2%). BF showed statistically significant reductions in gingivitis and gingival bleeding (9.2% and 17.5%, respectively), but interestingly, “there were no [statistically] significant reductions in plaque in the BF group as compared to the BO group." In other words, the groups that used a combination of brushing and the four essential oil mouth rinse yielded the best overall results. The BO and BF groups yielded very similar results when it came to plaque but BF prevailed when it came to gingivitis and gum bleeding.
However, this is not to say flossing is not important to plaque reduction, as many other sources such as the University of Chicago, Illinois College of Dentistry affirm that flossing assists in the removal of bad-breath causing bacteria, plaque, and food caught between the teeth which can reduce the risk of cavities, inflammation, and gingivitis. Conclusively, it is easy to say that there are many ways to go about taking care of one’s teeth and gums, but a good place to start is that old rule to brush twice a day and floss at least once - perhaps with the addition of a mouth rinse.
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