The trends in consumption patterns of toothbrushes and toothpastes in Lebanon.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of dental cavities has been rising especially during the past ten years. Tooth brushing twice a day using a fluoridated toothpaste is a crucial preventive measure. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the yearly use of 6 tubes of toothpaste of 170g each and 4 toothbrushes per individual. AIM: To evaluate the individual yearly consumption of toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes in Lebanon using the amount supplied to the market as a proxy measure after checking if the products meet the standards. METHODS: This study was based on performing secondary quantitative data analysis of the amount of supplied toothpastes and toothbrushes between 2000 and 2016 in Lebanon. The quality of toothpaste brands available in the market was evaluated by reviewing LIBNOR (Lebanese Standards Institution) guidelines that govern the quality and testing standards of oral health products in Lebanon. RESULTS: The yearly supply of toothpaste tubes per individual increased progressively from 1.27 tubes to 1.58 tubes between the year 2000 and 2016 respectively. The yearly supply of toothbrushes per individual fluctuated between 3.1 toothbrushes in 2000 and 3.24 toothbrushes in 2016, where the trend of supply reveals a plateau phase followed by steep increases and decreases between 2012 and 2016. Guidelines governing the quality of toothpastes are regulated by LIBNOR and follow European Standards. CONCLUSION: The yearly consumption of both toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes was below WHO recommendations. This raises the necessity of increasing the promotion of the importance of proper oral hygiene practices as well as the distribution of tubes of toothpastes and toothbrushes to people in need.

Bathing and cleaning practices in the camp of Jalozai Pakistan, for internally displaced people, based on Sphere Standards and Indicators.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the bathing and cleaning practice, based on Sphere Standards and Indicators, of internally displaced people in the camp of Jalozai, Pakistan. METHODS: This descriptive cross sectional survey was done in displaced population of Jalozai camp Nowshera from February to September 2010. Systematic Random Sampling was done (10% of Phase II Population). Study unit was a single family residing in the camp. A customized structured questionnaire was administered to households and information as recorded by the researchers. Informed consent and confidentiality was maintained while interviewing the household. RESULTS: Although 97% (n=111) families were using soap for bathing but surprisingly none of them were on required Sphere Standards. Similarly 93% (n=107) were using laundry soaps and 49% (n=56) were using washing powder but again were not fulfilling the standards. It was discovered based on our survey that 64% (n=71) displaced people were not using anything for cleaning their children and none were using washable nappies. It was also observed that 99% (n=114) were using toothpastes and other local means for dental hygiene. Less than 10 toothpastes/year were provided to 79% families while 21% (n=24) were not provided at all. CONCLUSION: Our survey population was not on required SPHERE standards for sufficient bathing and laundry soap and they had no access to sufficient amount of toothbrush and toothpaste. Children were not provided with washable nappies or diapers.

The history and global market of oral home-care products.

This literature review reports the history and the current market of oral home-care products. It provides information extending from the products used by our ancestors to those currently available, as well as on the changes in the supply and consumption of these products. Although the scientific knowledge about oral diseases has improved greatly in recent years, our ancestors had already been concerned with cleaning their teeth. A variety of rudimentary products and devices were used since before recorded history, like chewing sticks, tree twigs, bird feathers, animal bones, tooth powder and home-made mouth rinses. Today, due to technological improvements of the cosmetic industry and market competition, home-use oral care products available in the marketplace offer a great variety of options. An increase in the consumption of oral care products has been observed in the last decades. Estimates show that Latin America observed a 12% increase in hygiene and beauty products sales between 2002 and 2003, whereas the observed global rate was approximately 2%. A significant increase in the per capita consumption of toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthrinse and dental floss has been estimated from 1992 to 2002, respectively at rates of 38.3%, 138.3%, 618.8% and 177.2%. Pertaining to this increased supply and consumption of oral care products, some related questions remain unanswered, like the occurrence of changes in disease behavior due to the use of new compounds, their actual efficacy and correct indications, and the extent of the benefits to oral health derived from consuming more products.

The history and global market of oral home-care products: [review]

This literature review reports the history and the current market of oral home-care products. It provides information extending from the products used by our ancestors to those currently available, as well as on the changes in the supply and consumption of these products. Although the scientific knowledge about oral diseases has improved greatly in recent years, our ancestors had already been concerned with cleaning their teeth. A variety of rudimentary products and devices were used since before recorded history, like chewing sticks, tree twigs, bird feathers, animal bones, tooth powder and home-made mouth rinses. Today, due to technological improvements of the cosmetic industry and market competition, home-use oral care products available in the marketplace offer a great variety of options. An increase in the consumption of oral care products has been observed in the last decades. Estimates show that Latin America observed a 12 percent increase in hygiene and beauty products sales between 2002 and 2003, whereas the observed global rate was approximately 2 percent. A significant increase in the per capita consumption of toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthrinse and dental floss has been estimated from 1992 to 2002, respectively at rates of 38.3 percent, 138.3 percent, 618.8 percent and 177.2 percent. Pertaining to this increased supply and consumption of oral care products, some related questions remain unanswered, like the occurrence of changes in disease behavior due to the use of new compounds, their actual efficacy and correct indications, and the extent of the benefits to oral health derived from consuming more products.

Views on oral health care strategies.

The Oral Health Programme (ORH) is a health promotion and disease prevention initiative. ORH should be integrated into primary health care programmes by building policies suited to each country and based on the common risk factor approach. Dental caries and periodontal diseases are highly prevalent in recommended. Although cost-effective, water and salt fluoridation are often unavailable and topical fluorides are recommended. Governments and industry must ensure availability of affordable fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride toothpaste should also be used to control periodontal diseases. The atraumatic restorative treatment approach should be used to treat dental caries. The Basic Package of Oral Care (BPOC) for deprived communities outlines this approach in detail. Continuous training and research are recommended for personnel to keep pace with changes in methods of prevention and treatment procedures.

An advocacy project to fluoridate toothpastes in Nepal.

AIMS: To describe a recent health promotion project undertaken by the United Mission to Nepal Oral Health Programme (UMN OHP) to increase the availability and consumption of affordable, fluoridated toothpaste in Nepal. METHOD: The process of advocating for the fluoridation of toothpastes in Nepal is based on Tearfund's advocacy cycle. RESULTS: The project achieved health promotion outcomes including healthy corporate and public policies and organisational practice and intermediate outcomes such as increased availability and consumption of affordable fluoridated toothpaste. Prior to implementation of the advocacy project in 1997, availability and consumption of fluoridated toothpaste was negligible. By March 2002 total market share of fluoridated toothpaste was approximately 90%. This represents an annual tonnage of 900 tons of fluoridated toothpaste. CONCLUSIONS: The health promotion activity of advocacy for the fluoridation of toothpastes in Nepal achieved measurable gains in health promotion outcomes and intermediate outcomes. Gains in health and social outcomes will take longer to evaluate but based on epidemiological evidence and the experience of other countries increased availability of affordable fluoridated toothpaste will have a significant and ongoing impact on the oral health of the people of Nepal.

Fluoride and abrasive content in commonly used dentifrices on the Kenyan market.

About one decade ago, a heated debate on the appropriateness of fluoride dentifrices in Kenya culminated in the introduction of no-fluoride brands. Analysis of dentifrices that were available on the market in 1989/1990 confirmed two distinctly different categories, the fluoride and the low or no-fluoride types. Among the former, the mean ionic fluoride concentration ranged between 0.4 and 1.36 mg/g while the total fluoride concentration ranged between 1.15 and 114.68 mg/g. The low or no-fluoride dentifrices had less than 0.03 mg/g ionic fluoride and less than 2.14 mg/g total fluoride. The mean abrasive (powder) content ranged between 26.5 g% and 78.5 g%. The gel categories had markedly lower powder values than the pastes. The ash values of the powders ranged between 15.8 g% and 85 g% and did not have an obvious relationship with the powder content. Despite the obvious risk of increasing exposure to excessive fluoride among children, presently, the situation has reverted to the pre-debate time. Given the ubiquitous nature of ingestable fluoride in the region, provision of guidelines and guidance on the sale of dentifrices by the government and consumer organisations, and increased accountability of the manufacturers are recommended.

APLICACION DE LA"PASTA kLEENER" PARA EL PULIDO DE LAS RESTAURACIONES DENTALES

La pasta pulidora kleener no requiere de preparación previa aplicándosela directamente del envase - La técnica no requiere aparatologia especial para la obtención del pulido de cualquier restauración dental, pudiendo realizarse en forma manual.Resulta, en concecuencia de facil manipulación - No tiene acción nociva sobre las mucosas de la boca. Asi mismo los fluidos bucales no acatan superficies pulidas con la pasta Kleener, permaneciendo éstas inalterables - Es el material más indicado para aquellos lugares donde se carece de corriente eléctrica por no precisarce en dicha fuente y ser posible un trabajo puramente manual