Professional plaque control significantly improves gingival inflammation and lowers plaque scores, while re-chargeable power toothbrushes and inter-dental cleaning devices may provide additional benefits.

Primary prevention of periodontitis: managing gingivitis.

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, is effective in preventing and controlling periodontal diseases, caries, and plaque compared to toothbrushing alone.

Home use of interdental cleaning devices, in addition to toothbrushing, for preventing and controlling periodontal diseases and dental caries.

Effective prevention of periodontal diseases requires repeated individualized oral hygiene instruction, professional mechanical plaque removal, and brief interventions for risk factor control.

Principles in prevention of periodontal diseases: Consensus report of group 1 of the 11th European Workshop on Periodontology on effective prevention of periodontal and peri-implant diseases.

Chewing sugar-free gum significantly reduces caries and may alleviate symptoms of xerostomia, improving oral health in children and adults.

Research Confirms Effectiveness of Oral Health Preventive Practices

Primary prevention methods for dental caries in adults include pit and fissure sealants, fluoride, regular appointments, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Methods of Primary Clinical Prevention of Dental Caries in the Adult Patient: An Integrative Review

Structured oral hygiene, including limiting sugary foods and beverages, regular brushing, flossing, and interdental brushing, can prevent or control periodontal diseases, caries, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and pneumonia in the elderly.

Health promotion through structured oral hygiene and good tooth alignment

Routine oral hygiene with fluoride is crucial for preventing dental caries and periodontal diseases, with low socio-economic status increasing the risk of both diseases.

Prevention and control of dental caries and periodontal diseases at individual and population level: consensus report of group 3 of joint EFP/ORCA workshop on the boundaries between caries and periodontal diseases

A healthy lifestyle, including regular brushing and flossing, can help prevent gingival disease and maintain healthy gums.

Healthy Lifestyle For Healthy Gums

Lifelong prevention and active participation in healthcare teams are crucial for effective oral healthcare in older adults, promoting overall health.

Prevention and management of periodontal diseases and dental caries in the older adults.

People with diabetes have limited oral health knowledge and poor oral health behaviors, highlighting the need for education, motivation, and access to dental care.

Oral health knowledge, attitudes and care practices of people with diabetes: a systematic review

Chewing xylitol gum for 2 weeks reduces cariogenic and periodontal bacteria in dental plaque, potentially helping to prevent diseases related to these bacteria.

Xylitol-Containing Chewing Gum Reduces Cariogenic and Periodontopathic Bacteria in Dental Plaque—Microbiome Investigation

Toothbrushing and interdental cleaning are the mainstays of effective mechanical oral hygiene to prevent periodontal diseases, with individual tailored instruction being crucial for effective implementation.

Contemporary practices for mechanical oral hygiene to prevent periodontal disease.

The Indian Society of Periodontology's "Gum Care for All" guidelines aim to promote oral health promotion, maintenance, and disease prevention through evidence-based, integrated, and comprehensive care for all patients.

ISP good clinical practice recommendations for gum care

Public health strategies should tackle underlying social determinants of oral health and empower local communities to actively promote their oral health, based on the Ottawa Charter.

Strategies and approaches in oral disease prevention and health promotion.

Prenatal oral health care, including fluoride supplements and oral examinations, may protect against early childhood caries onset and reduce Streptococcus mutans carriage in children.

Prenatal Oral Health Care and Early Childhood Caries Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Integrating oral health into general healthcare can improve health outcomes and reduce costs, but requires leadership, change, and capacity building for all healthcare professionals.

Integrating Oral and General Health Care in Australia: Utilising Aged
 Care to demonstrate essential elements of this global issue.

Sugar-free gum provides significant benefits for oral health, but its effectiveness in preventing dental caries is weak without toothbrushing, and should be used as an addition to routine oral hygiene.

Use of sugar-free gum as complement in the prevention of dental caries. Narrative review.

Chewing sugar-free gum does not significantly affect plaque accumulation or gingival inflammation in patients with periodontal disease.

The Effect of Chewing Gum on Periodontal Disease

Dental caries prevention should include dietary sugar reduction, plaque metabolism, and saliva support, as well as pre- and probiotics early in life to support microbial diversity and prevent caries.

Prevention of dental caries as a non‐communicable disease

Expanding oral health coverage under Medicare and Medicaid, along with community-based medical and dental services, can address access and utilization barriers and improve oral health literacy for older adults.

Barriers and Opportunities to Support the Oral Health of Older Adults: A Rapid Review of Health Policy and Systems

How can I manage dental health and prevent gum disease?

These studies suggest that managing dental health and preventing gum disease involves professional plaque control, regular use of interdental cleaning devices, structured oral hygiene practices, fluoride use, healthy lifestyle choices, and individualized oral hygiene instruction.