1

Information Sources for Presentation on Oral Hygiene Instruction: Dentifrices

Edith Gonzalez-Rodriguez & Rose Dasher

Dental Hygiene Program, Seattle Central College

DHY 261: Preventative Dentistry

Lauren Acheson

October 17, 2022

 2

Information Sources for Presentation on Oral Hygiene Instruction: Dentifrices

Source 1

I found chapter twenty-eight in the “Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist”

textbook a practical source to explain the purpose and use of dentifrices. Rose and I plan to begin

the presentation by covering the basic principles of dentifrices to allow our audience to

understand better the therapeutic agents we will cover in the presentation. The textbook provides

information on chemotherapeutics, the benefits, and the essential components of dentifrices.

Source 2

For our second resource, we are using an article titled “Efficacy of a 3% potassium nitrate

mouthrinse for the relief of dentinal hypersensitivity” (Hall et al., 2019). I came across this

organization position paper through Seattle Central’s database “Sciencedirect” and found it an

excellent source to cover potassium nitrate. After discussing with Ms. Acheson, Rose and I

understood the importance of explaining the mechanisms of action for preventive and therapeutic

agents. Our goal is to appropriately deliver information to our audience in a direct and engaging

manner. This position paper provides a great, detailed controlled study that demonstrates mouth

rinses containing potassium salts are effective for the relief of dentinal hypersensitivity.

Potassium nitrate is recognized to create a calming effect on the pulp by affecting the

transmission of nerve impulses. I am confident to present this source to my peers as I am sure it

is significant information to obtain as we become future dental hygienists.

Source 3

After speaking to Ms. Acheson in regarding our project, we decided it was necessary to

touch base about sodium lauryl sulfate. Sensodyne ProNamel and Closys are great brands that

are reliably SLS-free. After reading both websites and confirming they are great
 3

recommendations, I wanted to dive deeper into the pros and cons of using sodium lauryl sulfates.

After a while of research I came across this source through Seattle Central’s database,

“Sciencedirect.” The article is titled “Inflammatory reaction of the anterior dorsal tongue

presumably to sodium lauryl sulfate within toothpastes: a triple case report” (Brown et al., 2018).

In this source, the authors report three patients with oral pain secondary to inflammation on the

dorsal anterior tongue due to using toothpaste containing SLS. I plan to use this study in my

presentation to document the negative effects of SLS. By the end of our presentation, our

audience will be aware of the outcomes SLS in toothpaste may cause to the oral mucosal.

Source 4

We found a particularly interesting systematic review and meta-analysis of studies

comparing kinds of toothpastes containing stannous fluoride against other fluoridated toothpastes

which showed stannous fluoride to have overall better oral health outcomes (Clark-Perry &

Levin, 2020). Stating that one active ingredient is “better” than others is a substantial claim, and

has vast implications if true. The article describes the methods and criteria for synthesizing the

data from all of the clinical trials included in the analysis, demonstrating the highest degree of

quality research. Some patients may ask which toothpaste is “best,” and while there is no

definitive answer, there is research attempting to provide one.

Source 5

For our fifth source, we are using an article titled “Spit, don’t rinse” (n.d.), which

explains why rinsing with water after using a dentifrice is not recommended. This article is

posted on the website of the Oral Health Foundation, a United Kingdom-based organization that

describes itself as an “independent charity (not for profit) dedicated to improving oral health and

wellbeing around the world…we have continued to provide expert, independent and impartial
 4

advice on all aspects of oral health directly to those who need it most.” When collecting

information regarding oral health, it is imperative to pay attention to where the information is

coming from and what motives and goals are being pursued by the publisher. The topic of

avoiding rinsing after brushing is covered in many different sources and falls more into the

general knowledge category than the clinical research category. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to

include readily accessible and easily understandable sources while providing oral hygiene

instructions to patients.
 5

References

Boyd, L. D., Mallonee, L. F., Wyche, C. J., & Halaris, J. F. (2020, February 5). Wilkins’ Clinical

Practice of the Dental Hygienist (13th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Brown, R. S., Smith, S., & Glascoe, A. L. (2018, February). Inflammatory reaction of the

anterior dorsal tongue presumably to sodium lauryl sulfate within toothpastes: A triple

case report. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, and Oral Radiology, 125(2),

e17–e21.

Clark-Perry, D., & Levin, L. (2020). Comparison of new formulas of stannous fluoride

toothpastes with other commercially available fluoridated toothpastes: A systematic

review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. International Dental Journal,

70(6), 418–426. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12588

Hall, C., Sufi, F., Milleman J. L., & Milleman K. R. (2019, March). Efficacy of a 3% potassium

nitrate mouthrinse for the relief of dentinal hypersensitivity. The Journal of the American

Dental Association, 150(3).

Oral Health Foundation. (n.d.). “Spit don’t rinse” for better oral health. (n.d.). Retrieved October

10, 2022, from https://www.dentalhealth.org/news/spit-dont-rinse-for-better-oral-health