Top 5 infographics to educate your dental patients

Lecturing patients to practice good oral health can be an exhausting – and often fruitless – aspect of a dentist’s or oral hygienist’s job.  So why not spare yourself and show them instead? 

Besides, we live in a visual age, and your patients may react more strongly to images. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of visual alternatives on the internet in the form of  infographics.  With this in mind, DPR gathered five great infographics you can use to educate your patients on the importance of proper dental hygiene.  Have a look:

1. The Ultimate Guide to Oral Health

The title says it all. From grabbing the right oral hygiene gear to choosing a dentist, this infographic from the American Dental Association offers comprehensive tips and tactics on how patients can keep their teeth and improve overall well being.

2. Teeth vs. Soda

Did you know that some brands of soda –and vinegar - have the nearly the same acidity as battery acid?  That’s what this infographic from Falling Up Media demonstrates, plus much more about the harmful effects of soda on teeth.

3. Floss or Die

It’s a no-brainer for dentists and hygienists, but how often do you come across patients that don’t floss regularly? Probably quite often.  This blunt infographic by YourLocalSecurity.com vividly illustrates the harmful effect not flossing has not just on your teeth, but also on your overall health.  Diabetes, low birth weight, stroke – they’re all there. It’s not all doom and gloom, though: the infographic also provides tips on how to improve dental health.

4. Oral Health and Overall Health

Consider this infographic by 1Dental.com a kinder, gentler version of the previous one.  It’s true: some patients just need shown, not scared.  It contains much of the same information as the Floss or Die – diabetes, heart disease, low birth weight, and more - just in a friendlier package.

5. Don't Let Your Oral Health Go Up in Smoke

It’s not breaking news: smoking is really, really bad for you.  Yet, according to Center for Disease Control, 19% of American adults are still classified as habitual smokers.  Even worse, the same report states that approximately 1,000 people under the age of 18 begin smoking on a daily basis.  As this infographic from Pacific Source and MillionIdeas.org illustrates, the deadly effects of smoking go well beyond what dental patients normally think about.