Reflective Journal on Mechanical Plaque Control

This reflective journal discusses the importance of mechanical plaque control in preventing oral diseases. It explores various toothbrushing techniques and inter-dental cleaning methods. The journal also emphasizes the need for evidence-based treatment planning and patient education.

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON MECHANICAL PLAQUE CONTROL
Reflective journal
Mechanical Plaque Control
Student id:

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON MECHANICAL PLAQUE CONTROL
Describe
Dental plaque is normal but bacterial species of plaque can cause various oral diseases
under certain conditions. The metabolism of bacteria present in dental plaque can cause many
oral diseases such as dental caries and some periodontal diseases that include gingivitis. If
any patient is suffering from chronic periodontics, then it can affect tissues and if left
unmanaged, tissues and bones are destroyed (Haque, Sartelli & Haque, 2019). Prevalence of
this disease in our community is quite high and the main bacterial species that can cause
different kinds of oral diseases are normal oral microbiota. There is evidence that adequate
plaque control can be helpful in preventing such diseases.
Interpret
In this course I learned about several mechanical plaque-controlling techniques which
were very interesting and prevalence of plaque related diseases surprised me a lot.
Development, amount and compositions of plaque vary from people to people. However,
using fluoride toothpaste and following a regular professional cleaning process can lower the
incidence of plaque (Ccahuana‐Vasquez et al., 2019). However, in an independent study it
has been found that patients might have an aesthetic or comfort preference regarding
toothbrushes but no one brush was superior in removing plaque from tooth. Also, a number
of acceptable tooth-brushing techniques are there that includes Fone’s technique, Bass and
modified bass technique, stillman’s and modified stillman’s technique, and charter’s
technique. Different kinds of techniques are used for different age groups and requirements
(Van Leeuwen, Van der Weijden, Slot & Rosema, 2019).
Evaluate

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON MECHANICAL PLAQUE CONTROL
Apart from the traditional tooth brushing techniques, inter-dental cleaning methods
are there which can effectively remove plaque as toothbrushes cannot reach into the
interproximal areas of teeth and teeth remains unclean as a result (Park, Cho & Han, 2018).
The devices used in inter-dental cleaning can penetrate between adjacent teeth and they are
floss, wood-sticks, inter-dental brushes, single-tufted brushes, electrically powered irrigators,
and others. The knowledge will help me as a practitioner because, my primary target will be
to promote health by preventing disease morbidity and I will share my knowledge with my
colleague clinicians and encourage them to provide the most contemporary treatment to the
patients.
Plan
This learning was so useful to provide a good guidance to the patients in order to
maintain a good oral hygiene. However, it is difficult to teach the patients about the
appropriate use of tooth-brushing techniques as per their requirements. In this regard, positive
continued reinforcement can be an effective way to encourage the patients in acquiring
proper brushing techniques to effectively remove plaque from teeth. Now, I understand the
importance of evidence-based treatment planning. This knowledge will impact my thinking
capacity as well as behaviours in preventing diseases. It will also expand my knowledge on
choice throughout my life.

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REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON MECHANICAL PLAQUE CONTROL
References
Ccahuana‐Vasquez, R. A., Adam, R., Conde, E., Grender, J. M., Cunningham, P., Goyal, C.
R., & Qaqish, J. (2019). A 5‐week randomized clinical evaluation of a novel electric
toothbrush head with regular and tapered bristles versus a manual toothbrush for
reduction of gingivitis and plaque. International journal of dental hygiene, 17(2), 153-
160.
Haque, M., Sartelli, M., & Haque, S. Z. (2019). Dental Infection and Resistance—Global
Health Consequences. Dentistry journal, 7(1), 22.
Park, S. H., Cho, S. H., & Han, J. Y. (2018). Effective professional intraoral tooth brushing
instruction using the modified plaque score: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of
periodontal & implant science, 48(1), 22-33.
Van Leeuwen, M. P., Van der Weijden, F. A., Slot, D. E., & Rosema, M. A. (2019).
Toothbrush wear in relation to toothbrushing effectiveness. International journal of
dental hygiene, 17(1), 77-84.