Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Oral Swabs For That Perfect Smile

Oral hygiene is an important part of overall health and wellness. Discoloration of teeth, bleeding gums, infections and plaque are some of the more common problems that occur due to inefficient oral hygiene routines. Whether in the hospital or nursing home, good oral hygiene is essential to fewer infections and an overall sense of patient satisfaction.

Oral swabs are commonly used to remove mucus build-up from the patient’s mouth. Applying a swab along the tongue, cheek, teeth and gums helps in cleaning the mouth as well as detecting any possible areas of concern.. Swabs may be used alone or in combination with toothpaste, mouthwash or moisturizer. These days, disposable oral swabs are available that take oral hygiene to an altogether greater height.

Dentips Disposable Oral Swabs are one such product. Typically disposable oral swabs feature a color coding system for treated and untreated swabs. The treated ones are commonly in green color while the untreated ones are in blue. The swabs are made of long plastic handles to help prevent touch-contamination. Most commercial products are available in a variety of packaging options, including resealable bags and convenient dispenser packs, to meet clinical needs. They are also ideal for use with Biotene products.

Oral swabs are also used for oral drug tests. In an oral swab drug test a saliva sample is examined to detect the presence of drugs or drug metabolites. Drug metabolites are a byproduct of drugs that exist in the body for a period of time after the effects of the drug have worn off. Drugs like amphetamines, marijuana, cocaine, opiates and phencyclidine, or PCP are easily detected using oral swab tests. Expanded drug tests may also test for alcohol, ecstasy, methadone, and benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax.

Oral swabs tests also called Saliva tests have a short detection period and can detect recent drug use and current intoxication. Oral swabs are also used to apply medicine or ointments to unreachable parts of the mouth effectively, preventing any drug wastage or unwanted application. They are versatile in usage, making them very popular amongst dentists all over.

Oral swabs are easily available and generally are affordable. They can be bought over the counter under the prescription of a dentist and can be used at home too. In a dentist’s clinic, they are indispensable and play a vital role in the process for treating and detecting oral problems. A little hygiene can go a long way in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Oral swabs are the best companion on this road to the perfect and healthy smile.

Also, read this article on oral brush.

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