In modern dentistry, the ultimate goal is to achieve good oral hygiene and this is achieved by regular visits to the dentist for oral checkups. These checkups are highly advisable since early detection of periodontal infections that often lead to bad breath, gingival inflammation, bleeding gums, plague formation, and even teeth loss is imperative (Zadik, 2008). If untreated, these infections may also spread to other parts of the body leading to other fatal health complications and cormobid conditions such as heart attacks and strokes among others. Patients are therefore advised to maintain good oral hygiene, and this is by effectively decreasing the bacteria in the teeth either through flossing and thoroughly rinsing the teeth (Bhaskar, 1995).
Soft Tissue Management
Definition of Soft Tissue Management
Soft tissue management (STM) is regarded as an integral component of dentistry and entails diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders that affect the soft tissues of the mouth that include interdental papilla and gingival. It’s also an initial step in the treatment and management periodontitis and as well as a treatment of choice for patients that are not willing to undergo dental surgery (Drisko, 2001).
In most aspects, a normal soft tissue management program entails debridement or removal of foreign materials and dead tissues that cause gum diseases using a piezo or ultrasonic scaler: an instrument that looks like a laser that is painless and fast. The management process also entails root planning and scaling, and this is often carried out to promote healing. Special toothbrush and a mouth rinse high in chlorhexidine that helps prevents tooth decay and as well as inhibit plaque formation may also be recommended (Bhaskar, 1995).
For successful provision of quality, safe, evidence-based, and affordable oral health care, the soft tissue management plan should be allocated adequate time so as to give the hygienist time to make patient understand the aspects care and personal protective methods (Drisko, 2001). Soft tissue management plan depends on the type of periodontal disease manifested and the most recommendable schedule is visits that are based on level of disease activity or the extent of disease progression. The patient’s knowledge of disease and anticipated level of willingness should also be considered in scheduling process. Longer but productive visits are better than shorter more frequent ones. Each treatment should strive to improve the soft tissue management from less involving maintenance care to one which is value adding (Bhaskar, 1995).
For soft tissue management to be successful other contributing factors must be enhanced during the management process. Dental caries and other related infections should be controlled and appropriate corrections and restorations applied even if it means strategic extraction of the hopeless teeth. This may go a long way in creating an environment that favors health and one that is easier to maintain by the patient (Zadik, 2008).
Role of Dental Hygienists in Soft Tissue Management
A dental hygienists most important role is educating the patients on their individual responsibility to care for their teeth since failure to manage the tissues may result to need of surgical solutions (Drisko, 2001). Hygienist’s role is to educate patient on need to know the cause of the infection and stop bacteria that cause the periodontal diseases. Early detection of the periodontal infections is also key so as to plan for the soft tissue management program. Oral hygiene is important and the small changes not only impact oral health but also the overall health as well. From the first visit the patient and hygienist relationship should be good for the program to be comfortable, motivational and educational (Bhaskar, 1995).
Hygienists also help patients in creating strong home care techniques for tissue management. This entails providing oral hygiene instructions and a combination of education and treatment protocols that help prevent the fatal periodontal diseases. Since they are well educated, they are also served with role of encouraging and educating people on how to lead healthy lifestyles so as to better their oral and general health (Drisko, 2001). At times, they help the patients find financing for their conditions. They also help the patients to consider their situations as unique, and by doing so, they help them to focus on the provided hygiene regimens and as well as know the risk sites in their mouth so that they can know the techniques or hygiene instruments that they can appropriately use with no harm. Since the hygienist knows the patient’s detailed oral hygiene history, they can use this information to help guide the patient through the soft tissue management program (Bhaskar, 1995).
Conclusion
Soft tissue management (STM) is regarded as an integral component of dentistry and entails diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases and disorders that affect the soft tissues of the mouth that include interdental papilla and gingival. STM is mostly used for the early detection of periodontal infections that often lead to bad breath, gingival inflammation, bleeding gums, plague formation, and even teeth loss is imperative (Zadik, 2008). If untreated, these infections may also spread to other parts of the body leading to other fatal health complications and cormobid conditions such as heart attacks and strokes among others. In conclusion, most dental diseases are preventable. If the oral hygienists do their part in educating the public, the whole concept of dentistry might change the hygienist focus on disease prevention and guide on how to promote oral health.
References
Bhaskar, S.N. (1995). Four steps to soft tissue management: non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Dent Today. 14(10):30, 32, 34-9.
Drisko, C.H. (2001). Nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Periodontol ;25:77-88.
Zadik, Y. (2008). "Algorithm of first-aid management of dental trauma for medics and corpsmen". Dent Traumatol 24 (6): 698–701.
