How to assemble an oral hygiene kit for your patients?

Dental care for your patients cannot end at your office. A good oral health treatment also involves your patient taking proper care of their teeth at home. The dentist who demonstrates this attention to the health of his patient demonstrates dedication and creates a relationship of trust, which helps in loyalty to his dental clinic.

Every good dentist knows that good dental care also involves the use of appropriate oral hygiene products, and the indication of these products is a task for the dentist.

Want to learn how to assemble the perfect oral hygiene kit? Come with us!

Why have an oral hygiene kit?

The main objective of a kit for patients is to guarantee an excellent cleaning of the teeth and mouth. This kit can be used at home, but it is even more useful for those who spend all day outside. By carrying the kit with him, this patient will ensure the care of his oral hygiene and improve the results of his dental treatment.

When the dentist assembles an oral hygiene kit with the appropriate items, he can show the patient that he is really dedicated to the treatment

Essential items for a dental care kit

An oral hygiene kit for patients must change to suit the needs of each person, however, there are four essential items that cannot be missing:

1- A soft bristle brush

The toothbrush is the first item that comes to mind when the patient thinks about his oral hygiene and, really, it is an item that should never be neglected, however, the choice of the ideal brush is fundamental. Your kit should contain a straight, soft bristle brush and medium head, which guarantees a more complete cleaning, including the posterior teeth.

2- An ideal toothpaste

The toothpaste completes the brushing work, but each client will have specifics in their treatment, so the ideal is to know your patient's demands and problems well to prescribe a toothpaste that is the most suitable for him.

3- The importance of dental floss

It is always necessary to remind the patient of the importance of flossing every day. Without it, cleaning will never be complete. When you include dental floss in your patient's oral hygiene kit, you reinforce this need and remind the customer of its use.

4- A case to protect your kit

The products of the oral hygiene kit cannot be thrown into the bag of your patients, contact with things like money and keys can cause contamination, so it is essential to keep them protected. Include in your kit a box, case or bag that will keep items safe.

The kit for orthodontic appliance users

Each kit must have items selected according to the patient's need. In the case of users of orthodontic appliances, there are items that cannot be forgotten, such as:

1- Threads

Dental floss is essential for good oral hygiene, but its use is much more difficult for those who have braces. It is to solve this problem that you will include the cable gland in your kit. This item is used to assist the passage of the wire between the parts of the orthodontic appliance.

2- Orthodontic brush

For device users, it is not enough to have a soft bristle brush and medium head. These patients need an orthodontic brush, which has a special shape, with a central channel and “V” bristles. This allows the cleaning of the sides of the teeth and the appliance and a more complete oral hygiene.

3- Interdental brush

To complete cleaning your teeth and braces, you should also include the interdental brush in your patient kit. It is used to remove leftover food and bacteria that are between the teeth and the appliance, in spaces that dental floss and normal brush often do not reach. This increases your patient's satisfaction with the treatment.

4- Mouthwash

Mouthwash is the last step of hygiene. It is useful for everyone who seeks good oral health, but it is essential for those who use braces, as it creates a kind of protective shield around the teeth and prevents bad breath. With this recommendation, you prevent your orthodontic treatment from causing discomfort to your patient.

A kit suitable for children

Good oral hygiene is ageless; the sooner children learn to care for their teeth, the better their oral health development will be. Therefore, hygiene kits are also great for them. All items used by adults can be adapted for children, however, to win them over, consider adding something special like a gift or a toy.

Here are some tips:
- Your toothpaste can taste more pleasant, so that brushing is a pleasant moment;
- A colorful toothbrush with drawings also helps to make the child cheer up with brushing. In addition, the brush must have a short handle, smaller head, and very soft bristles.

The oral hygiene kit is a great way to achieve good results in treatment and still retain your patients.

Source: Dental Office. Available at: https://www.dentaloffice.com.br/kit-de-higiene-bucal-como-montar/. Access on: 12/02/2020.