Dear Hygiene Insider,
If you haven't heard of neem, your patients probably have. This plant used in traditional Indian medicine is also an ingredient in many mouthwashes widely available in the U.S. A new study found that neem mouthwash rivaled chlorhexidine at reducing three oral health indicators for patients with braces. Read our Insider Exclusive.
In other Hygiene Community news, controlling dental plaque after a patient has a stroke may be lifesaving, but the best way to do so is still unclear. A new study compared the results of different oral hygiene and plaque control methods, including the use of chlorhexidine gel, in stroke patients and found that basic routines were effective. Learn more here.
Periodontal treatment is beneficial for patients with cardiovascular disease, right? Not so fast. A systematic review of high-quality research on the topic found scarce evidence that it could prevent cardiovascular disease recurrence and no proof of the therapy's effectiveness for primary prevention. Read more here.
Periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg receives questions from patients all over the world about gum disease. While patients' specific conditions vary, in general, the conversations seem to revolve around five questions. How do you address these patient questions? Learn more here.
You understand intuitively that the patients in your practice, and the population in general, are aging. The problem many dentists face is not knowing what practical steps can be taken to help these patients. Dr. Leonard Brennan, a pioneer in treating aging patients, urges a focus on interdisciplinary approaches and patient communication to aid these patients and your practice. Read more here.
