Dear Hygiene Insider,
If you want your teenage patients to brush and floss regularly, you may want to text them. In a new study, teenage orthodontics patients who received daily text reminders showed remarkably improved oral hygiene within a few weeks. Read more in our Insider Exclusive.
Teenagers aren't the only young people who struggle with oral hygiene. Another recent study found millennials aren't so great at brushing their teeth either. When asked to brush to the best of their ability, many young adults skipped entire tooth surfaces and sections, making the researchers question whether young adults know how to properly brush. Find out more.
Also in the Hygiene Community, we're featuring a study that found the link between the mouth and mind may be more extensive than researchers previously thought. The brains of mice repeatedly exposed to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis showed signs of degeneration, inflammation, and senile plaque that are typically characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in humans. Learn more about the groundbreaking study.
Did you know high blood pressure also may be part of the oral-systemic link? A recent study of more than 3,000 patients found medication for high blood pressure was more likely to work if the patients also had good oral health. The key takeaway for dental professionals may be that oral health is indispensable to overall health, according to the lead researcher. Read more.
Finally, thank you for being a DrBicuspid.com Hygiene Insider. I hope you enjoy the last few weeks of the year, and I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2019.
