Oral health and how students maintain it

October is National Dental Hygiene Month, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of proper oral care. It was started by the American Dental Hygienists’ Association in 2009.

As the semester is nearing its halfway point, students may already have situated themselves on a dental hygiene schedule. However, they must consider whether this schedule is consistent enough to maintain their oral health.

Skipping even a night of brushing can lead to bacteria, as it can build on the teeth every 12 hours, Rachael Maddox, a pediatric dentist and faculty associate at ASU, said. 

The 12-hour cycle is why it’s recommended to brush two times a day. Flossing once a day also prevents bacteria build-up. 

“An anecdote or analogy I think of is ‘you sweep the floor before you mop it,'” said Lily Zhang, a sophomore studying pharmacology and toxicology and the president of the Dental-Pharmaceutical Club at ASU West Valley.

Flossing removes food debris from the crevices of teeth, allowing fluoride in the toothpaste to get in between them.

Maddox challenges busy students to compare how much screen time they have to how much time they spend working on their oral hygiene.

“Everyone thinks you have to brush in the bathroom. I disagree,” Maddox said. “I think you can brush in the car. I think you can brush in bed. I think you can brush on your walks between classes.”

While the amount of brushing and flossing is important, how the teeth are brushed has a great impact as well.  

Some ASU students, like Rainne Busque, a freshman studying data science, brush their teeth side-to-side. Others brush in a circular motion, like Mirza Hussain, a freshman studying psychology. 

“The dentist once told me that if you just do it left to right, you just move around the bacteria,” Hussain said. “If you do it circular, you actually get (the bacteria) to come out.”

Hussain’s brushing technique is in line with Maddox’s recommendation of brushing each tooth in a circular motion. 

When brushing teeth, bristles of the toothbrush should be half on the tooth and half on the gum tissue. The gum tissue can produce a lot of buildup if not properly taken care of, Maddox said.

The tongue should be brushed as well since “a lot of the bad-breath bacteria is on your tongue,” Zhang said.

Having a dental professional assess a person’s dental health twice a year ensures the monitoring and maintenance of their oral health. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, around 34.5% of adults did not go to a dental professional for cleaning or a dental exam in 2023.

The Arizona Department of Health Services provides a list of “Reduced Fee and Community Dental Clinics in Arizona.” It showcases clinics, mobile units and health centers that allow access to dental professionals for lower fees.

“There are some really knowledgeable dentists sharing excellent content on social media that people can follow and utilize for their own oral health,” Maddox said. “It’s OK to do your own research, to look at American Dental Association’s recommendations and then also look for reputable dentists on Instagram that have recommendations on toothbrush technique, flossing options (and) toothpaste options.”

 Edited by Kate Gore, Senna James and Pippa Fung.

Reach the reporter at dmle5@asu.edu.

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