06 August 2023

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Monitoring oral hygiene, personalizing preventive treatment

Gianna Maria Nardi

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Monitoring home oral hygiene is essential for the dental team since behavioral change is influenced by many variables. Often, the motivation relayed by the clinician and dental team in a practice is limited by available timing. The dentist may not always have sufficient time to listen to the patient's needs, and the patient may not mention issues or barriers to oral hygiene and prevention.

By personalizing the preventive treatment, patients may have better compliance with home hygiene protocols. Motivation must include ergonomic and smart ways to follow the patient continuously, with quick consultations by telephone or by sharing clinical images that support the behavioral changes.

Dental hygienists provide ongoing coaching and support for a patient’s oral hygiene. In addition, what’s important will be the choice of technologies that allow an easy approach to their use at home, which helps behavioral change. Clinicians must bear in mind the patient's experience, between work and family environment and systemic health conditions, to form an approach in line with the same.

The dental product or material should alleviate the tenderness of inflamed tissues and accelerate the healing processes, which can keep the eubiosis of the oral cavity under control in a minimally invasive way. The product can also control halitosis and maintain brightness of the white of a smile, which can help patients commit to change. Today, many people prefer products that contain natural substances.

Home ozone therapy with ozonated olive oil (Ialozon line in Italy) is a great resource as it offers the patient all these characteristics. It is also important to consider the needs of patients who are undergoing chemo and radiotherapy, who need continuous support and dedication with super hydrating mouthwash. In the event of hospitalization, it is appropriate to motivate patients to use sanitizing sprays with ozonated olive oil (Ialozon clean) to clean an oral hygiene kit.

Clinical practice must be supported by technologies validated by research. I hope that these new products will soon provide more opportunities through research, leading to more products and technology in home oral hygiene therapy.