• bluecinema / 1459134368 / E+
    dental hygirnist educating dental patient about best home-care tools

    Your patients, your impact: Enhancing treatment success for all dental patient types

    June 25, 2025
    Most patients don’t understand biofilm or gum disease. Here's how evidence-based tools like Oral-B iO and Crest can improve oral health across all ages and conditions.

    Key takeaways:

    • Biofilm and bleeding gums are often misunderstood by patients.
    • Oral-B iO and Crest Gum Detoxify improve gingival health, plaque control, and brushing habits across patient types.
    • Orthodontic and pediatric patients face unique risks, but benefit greatly from advanced brushing technologies and stannous fluoride.
    • Early, evidence-based guidance empowers patients of all ages to build consistent, effective at-home oral care routines.

    Most oral diseases are caused by undisturbed biofilm accumulation. Most of your patients don’t even know what plaque biofilm is, or don’t understand why they should be concerned about bleeding gums. This is your opportunity to practice person-centered care and collaborate with your patients for a lifetime of optimal oral health.

    Gingival margin stability for all gingival phenotypes

    Did you know that 50% of Americans have some form of gum disease?1 In addition to professional care, daily self-care is key to restoring and maintaining oral health! The Oral-B iO heals gingival inflammation faster than other rechargeable toothbrushes.2 When comparing iO to manual toothbrushing, the iO drives better autonomous brushing habits and plaque control, even in hard-to-reach areas.3

    The Oral-B’s round brush head conforms to the anatomy of each tooth and the oscillating rotating technology has demonstrated clinically improved gingival margin stability for post-surgical,4 pre-existing recession,5 and peri-implant tissues.6

    According to the 6th edition of the Darby & Walsh Dental Hygiene Textbook, stannous fluoride is recognized as the “new gold standard” in the dentifrice chapter due to its antimicrobial properties.  Crest stannous fluoride formulations like Gum Detoxify have demonstrated through multiple meta-analyses to significantly reduce gingival inflammation and bleeding.7-9 It is substantive for 12 hours up to 4 mm below the gumline.10 Using both Oral-B iO and Crest Gum Detoxify in combination can amplify the results and drive significant improvements in oral health.

    Orthodontics: Decalcification, white spot lesions (WSL), and gingival health

    Orthodontic patients are more susceptible to developing oral disease during orthodontics due to the added complexity of cleaning around braces and aligners. Whether fixed or removable appliances are used, both demineralization and gingivitis can start as early as four weeks after starting treatment.11,12 In teens especially, there is less parental oversight and frequent consumption of acidogenic food and beverages, along with poor oral hygiene.

    In findings from case study series, orthodontic patients have been shown to achieve better brushing habits, improved plaque control and longer brushing times with Oral-B iO.13 Also, Crest Stannous fluoride better protects from demineralization than standard sodium fluoride paste.14  

    Crest Oral B product have proven to help pediatric dental patients
    Crest Oral B product have proven to help pediatric dental patients.

    Pediatric: Establish a lifetime of health oral care habits

    Did you know that 56% of children with caries in primary teeth go on to develop caries in permanent teeth?15 Establishing healthy habits early, including daily plaque removal, is critical. Children are more likely to be caries-free with Oral B oscillating-rotating technology superior plaque control.16 In a separate study, 74% of children agree that the Oral-B brush was more fun to use.17

    Children brushing with an Oral-B round electric toothbrush versus a regular manual toothbrush have 1.4 times higher odds of being caries free16 and 5.1 times higher odds of reversing gingivitis.16

    Children are susceptible to erosive tooth wear, and the most common site for erosive tooth wear is lower first molars (permanent and primary).17 Crest stannous toothpastes are the only formulations that have earned the ADA seal Enamel Erosion Control.18

    Education can help your patients and their caregivers understand how their at-home oral care routine might be affecting their treatment.

    Your evidence-based patient education and trusted recommendations for your patients across all ages, dentition, and oral care conditions help ensure better oral health outcomes. Isn’t that the goal for all our patients?

    References

    1. Li Y, et al. Prevalence and severity of gingivitis in American adults. Am J Dent. 2010;23(1):9-13. 
    2. Zou Y, et al. A Meta-analysis comparing toothbrush technologies on gingivitis and plaque. Int Dent J. 2024;74(1):146-156. doi:10.1016/j.identj.2023.06.009
    3. Adam R, et al. Brushing behavior changes and plaque removal with an electric toothbrush: A clinical trial. Int J Dent Hyg. 2023;21(4):747-754. doi:10.1111/idh.12733
    4. Acunzo R, et al. Gingival margin stability after mucogingival plastic surgery. The effect of manual versus powered toothbrushing: a randomized clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2016;87(10):1186-94. doi:10.1902/jop.2016.150528 
    5. Sutor S, et al. Effect of a powered and a manual toothbrush in subjects susceptible to gingival recession: A 36-month randomized controlled clinical study. Int J Dent Hyg. 2025;23(1):26-36. doi:10.1111/idh.12834 
    6. Allocca G, et al. Effectiveness and compliance of an oscillating-rotating toothbrush in patients with dental implants: a randomized clinical trial. Int J Implant Dent. 2018;4(1):38. doi:10.1186/s40729-018-0150-6 
    7. Biesbrock A, et al. The effects of bioavailable gluconate chelated stannous fluoride dentifrice on gingival bleeding: meta-analysis of eighteen randomized controlled trials. J Clin Periodontol. 2019;46(12):1205-1216. doi:10.1111/jcpe.13203 
    8. Clark-Perry D, et al. Comparison of new formulas of stannous fluoride toothpastes with other commercially available fluoridated toothpastes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Int Dent J. 2020;70(6):418-426. doi:10.1111/idj.12588. 
    9. Johannsen A, et at. Effects of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice on dental calculus, dental plaque, gingivitis, halitosis and stain: a systematic review. Heliyon. 2019;5(12):e02850. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02850 
    10. Klukowska MA, et al. Subgingival uptake and retention of stannous fluoride from dentifrice: gingival crevicular fluid concentrations in sulci post-brushing. Am J Dent. 2018;31(4):184-188. 
    11. O'Reilly MM, et al. Demineralization and remineralization around orthodontic appliances: an in vivo study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1987;92(1):33-40. doi:10.1016/0889-5406(87)90293-9 
    12. Liu H, et al. Periodontal health and relative quantity of subgingival Porphyromonas gingivalis during orthodontic treatment. Angle Orthod. 2011;81(4):609-15. doi:10.2319/082310-352.1. 
    13. Asatrian G. Improvements in oral hygiene using novel brush head for oscillating-rotating brush: a case series. Seattle Study Club Journal. August 30, 2023. https://journal.seattlestudyclub.com/improvements-in-oral-hygiene-using-novel-brush-head-for-oscillating-rotating-brush-a-case-series/
    14. Paepegaey AM, et al, In vitro comparison of stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrices in the prevention of enamel erosion. J Clin Dent. 2013;24(3):73-78. 
    15. Hall-Scullin E, et al. Longitudinal study of caries development from childhood to adolescence. J Dent Res. 2017;96(7):762-767. doi:10.1177/0022034517696457. 
    16. Davidovich E, et al. Factors associated with dental plaque, gingivitis, and caries in a pediatric population: a records-based cross-sectional study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(22):8595. doi:10.3390/ijerph17228595. 
    17. Johansson AK, et al. Dental erosion and its growing importance in clinical practice: from past to present. Int J Dent. 2012:632907. doi:10.1155/2012/632907. 
    18. Accepted Products. American Dental Association. Enamel Erosion Control.
    About the Author

    Beth Jordan, MS, RDH

    Beth Jordan, MS, RDH, is a graduate of Westbrook College, University of New England, Dental Hygiene where she worked as adjunct clinical faculty for nearly 10 years. She joined the Procter & Gamble Company (Crest + Oral-B) in 2001. Beth is a member, and Fellow, of ADHA and has served as a state delegate. Currently, she is a member of the global professional and scientific relations team. She contributes to scientific dissemination, prevention education, and passionately serves P&G’s commitment to oral health and prevention.

    Voice Your Opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Registered Dental Hygienists, create an account today!

    Latest

    dental hygienists will avoid pain by using the proper stool at work
    © Chattrawutt Hanjukkam | Dreamstime.com
    dental hygienists can use these techniques to help patients accept dental treatment
    zoranm
    Patient using oral mouth rinse
    Eggshells © Atman | Dreamstime.com
    eggshells can be valuable in dentistry as hydroxyapatite
    arloo / Shutterstock.com
    Systemic and oral implications of long COVID
    2068722803
    Knowing the major minerals can help you guide your dental patients toward better health