DrBicuspid.com Hygiene Insider: Text2Floss innovates; how should teeth be brushed?

Dear Hygiene Insider,

In this edition of the Insider, DrBicuspid.com takes a look at the still-developing use of text and smartphone apps to help patients improve their oral health. Text2Floss is an innovative oral health program that uses text messages and an app to remind people about brushing and flossing. It's a great example of how people's oral health behaviors can be improved by using technology they are already familiar with. Read more about this new use of an established technology in our Insider Exclusive.

Also in our Hygiene Community, you'll find news and information that affects your practice and clinical advancement.

Toothbrushing is the most basic practice for maintaining oral health, but what is the best way to do it? A new analysis of brushing instructions provided by dental associations, research, textbooks, and toothbrush and dentifrice companies in 10 different countries found there is very little consensus. That should be of concern to dentistry, in the opinion of the study authors.

Australian researchers are warning parents of the dangers of soft drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, and other drinks high in acidity, which form part of a "triple threat" of permanent damage to young people's teeth, based on the findings of a tooth enamel erosion study in the Journal of Dentistry.

Dr. Ted Sherwin, the president of the Virginia Dental Association, makes a thoughtful case for a new pilot program awaiting funding in Virginia that would place oral health coordinators in nursing homes throughout the state.

Modulating the responses of B cells in blood cells may effectively treat or prevent the symptoms of type 2 diabetes and periodontitis simultaneously, according to a new study in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology.

In recent months, several infection-control breaches have been reported in dental healthcare settings, which have affected patients and the dental community. In this column, Karen Gregory, RN, emphasizes the importance of safety and infection control, and offers some practical but far-reaching solutions.

This is just a sampling of the articles you will find in our Hygiene Community. Thanks to our sponsor, Philips, and thank you for being a member and sharing these articles with your colleagues.