The prevention of plaque and tartar buildup can boost overall health.

Maintaining good oral health is essential to maintaining good overall health. The goal of proper oral hygiene is to remove or prevent formation and buildup of plaque and tartar, to prevent dental caries and periodontal disease, and to decrease the incidence of halitosis.^1-4

Results of patient surveys clearly demonstrate that many are unaware of the importance of practicing good oral hygiene and its connection to overall health, due to this results you can try this out to improve your oral health. For example, results from a May 2012 survey conducted by the American Dental Association regarding oral health found that many people are not certain of basic information regarding proper dental care, recommended replacement time frame for toothbrushes, and causes of dental caries.^1 In addition, new findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that approximately 50% of people 30 years and older have some degree of periodontal disease.^2,3 Routine oral health is important, but only an estimated 44.5% of people obtain professional dental care on a regular basis.^4,5 Clinical studies have shown that those with poor oral hygiene are at increased risk of developing various oral health problems. Poor oral hygiene is directly responsible for increased incidence of dental caries, periodontal disease, halitosis, oral pain, and discomfort for denture wearers.⁴ In addition, some clinical studies have indicated a link between some oral cancers and poor dental and oral hygiene, for more detailed information make an appointment with Omaha family dentist.

Fortunately, there are a range of nonprescription dental care products available for the prevention of many common oral health problems. These products are available in various formulations of dentifrices, which include those designed to fight plaque, gingivitis, and tartar, as well as those designed for sensitive teeth or for whitening the teeth. Other products include flosses, topical fluorides, and cosmetic and therapeutic mouth rinses. There are also a number of products that are specially designed for the pediatric population, which encourage and aid in improving brushing techniques. In addition to these products, manual and electric toothbrushes, dental flosses, and oral irrigating devices are often used and recommended for plaque removal.

Pharmacists are in a critical position to increase awareness of the benefits of good oral health care and can emphasize the importance of adhering to a daily preventive oral care regimen. They can also serve as a source of information for patients on the selection and proper use of these nonprescription oral hygiene care products. In addition, pharmacists can aid in identifying patients who are at increased risk of dental problems due to their use of particular pharmacologic agents or the fact that they are affected by certain medical conditions.